Rugby league referees have often been accused of being blind.
And it turns out that really could be the case when it comes to trying to properly identify Wests Tigers look-a-likes Luke Brooks and Corey Thompson.
The Tigers twins have been mistaken for each other on more than one occasion in recent weeks and are odds-on to be confused by the whistleblowers in the middle of a chilly Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Tiger twins: Luke Brooks and Corey Thompson.
Photo: Dominic Lorrimer
Short, with brown hair and gappy front teeth, Brooks and Thompson cringe when they hear the comparisons from their Tigers teammates.
Thompson was even given the nickname "Brooksy" when he played at Canterbury.
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"But I was the better looking one; Brooksy was the uglier twin,'' Thompson told Fairfax Media.
"'Grubby' [Josh Reynolds] started it. Now he's here [at the Tigers] and it still hasn't gone away. I went to England and didn't hear it, then day one of pre-season here and it started again.''
Brooks said more than one touch judge had called him "Corey" the past fortnight.
"I've had it twice the past two weeks where they've yelled out, 'get off him, Corey','' Brooks said.
"Even Mahe [Fonua] said, 'hey, that's not even Corey'.''
A smiling Thompson added: "When he loses tackles the refs yell, 'get off him Luke,' but when he wins tackles they say, 'get off, Corey'.''
Thompson, who at 179cm is the same height as Brooks, but five years older, also answered to the name ''Tubsy'', a moniker picked up because of his shocking diet when at Belmore.
For all the gags, Brooks and Thompson, who will run out in the all-important No.7 and No.1 jerseys against Canberra, praised each other's seasons.
"He's been outstanding for us, he's surprised a lot of people with how good he is, and whether he's on the wing or fullback, he's doing his job for this side,'' Brooks said.
Thompson said Brooks had been a huge help, especially when he was playing fullback and urgently needing to know the plan for the next set.
The pending arrival of Thompson's old Dogs teammate Moses Mbye means he is likely to lose his No.1 jersey – but he is not going to give it up without a fight.
"I'm good friends with him [Mbye] and I spoke to him after the Bulldogs game and said, 'hurry up and get here','' Thompson said.
"He's a great player. He's been killing it at fullback, but he kills it wherever he plays.
"I won't let him have an easy shot to take [the No.1]. It's friendly competitiveness.
"If I go to the wing when he arrives, so be it. I'll play the same way I do each week, I won't complain or kick stones. I'm just happy to be a part of this team.
"Every player should embrace friendly competition, it doesn't let you get settled, so I go out with the mindset each week that if I don't play well someone might replace me.
"If I finish the year on the wing or fullback, it doesn't bother me. I just want to play good footy.''
Brooks also welcomed the likely return of club legend Robbie Farah, despite former coach Jason Taylor claiming Farah had stifled Brooks' attack.
It was suggested during Farah's time at the Tigers that too many cooks spoiled the broth, but Brooks said it would be different for Farah's second coming.
"He's a great player and will add plenty of value to whatever team he comes to,'' Brooks said.
Christian covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.
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