Jayden and Blayke Brailey will realise a lifelong dream when they play together for Cronulla

Growing up, all Jayden and Blayke Brailey ever dreamt of was playing in the NRL together. On Friday night that lifetime ambition will come to pass.

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As little brothers, they shared everything.

A bedroom, bikes, clothes, their homemade garage gym, even the same position on the footy field.

Friday night, the Brailey boys from Cronulla, Jayden and Blayke, share the dream which remains blue-tacked to their bedroom walls.

Junior Kangaroos hooker Blayke, 20 will make his NRL debut against Newcastle, in the same team - and position - as established Sharks dummy-half and older brother Jayden, 22.

“It’s something we’ve been dreaming about,’’ Blayke said.

“It’s surreal. I didn’t think it would come this quick, so it’s a really exciting moment.’’

Jayden added: “All we ever wanted to be was an NRL player. We’ve looked up to NRL players growing up and now to be here, that’s why it feels so surreal.

The two brothers will play together for Cronulla in their season opener against Newcastle.

“We’re both in the moment together. We’re so lucky.

“To be able to share it with each other, after the journey of growing up together, I can’t put it into words.’’

The siblings humble surprise in Blayke’s opening round selection by Sharks coach John Morris, typifies the two brothers hardworking personality.

So too, do the tears of joy, which began streaming down the face of their mother Carla, when Blayke rang through with the good news on Tuesday.

Because outside the front door of their modest Caringbah townhouse which the brothers still call home, there’s not a single talent scout, NRL coach or player agent within the game, that hasn’t heard the name of Blayke Brailey.

Blayke will make his NRL debut.

From 2015 Australian Schoolboys selection alongside Nathan Cleary and Cameron Murray to being chosen in the NSW under-20s last year, Blayke currently has six rival NRL clubs chasing his signature for 2020.

But as proud father Glenn has told his boys, ever since they were little “rugby league is a marathon, not a sprint.”

“It’s probably why we’ve both been so goal-driven growing up - we’ve trained so hard since we were little,’’ Jayden said.

“We’ve never been the biggest. We’ve had to work hard.

“We had a gym rack in our garage and we would always train together, we’d write down how much we’d lift, that was when we were 14.

“We did swimming training, just to get some upper body size going.

“We worked side-by-side.’’

Such has been his dedication to add size to last year’s 75kg frame, Blayke has spent the off-season eating a meal every hour.

The brothers still live at home in Caringbah. Picture by Brett Costello.

He’ll run out tomorrow night eight kilos heavier.

“In my bedroom, I’ve got three words; bigger, faster, stronger. I wake up every day and look at it to try and improve myself,’’ Blayke said.

“I’m not the biggest player, so I’ve got to find different ways to find success. Diet is one of those.’’

The last time the pair played together was in 2016 with the Sharks under-20s, on that occasion Jayden shifted to lock to make way for his brother to play hooker.

On Friday night, Blayke is expected to replace Jayden at hooker prior to the halftime break.

During his interview with The Telegraph, Blayke thanks his older brother. Again, it’s an indication of the bond between the brother.

Jayden, Blayke and their father Glenn.

“When Jayden made his NRL debut (in 2017) that made my dream possible,’’ Blayke said.

“I can do this too,” is what I thought,

“It sunk in that if I keep my head down and keep working hard, I can do it.’’

The pair are mature enough to know that with the NRL spotlight, opinions will be formed.

Is Jayden’s maturity, toughness and quality in defence a greater asset? Or is Blayke’s attacking mindset a greater threat to their opposition?

Either way, the brothers just want to enjoy the moment they’ve waited a lifetime for.

“I definitely think we can compliment each other -.especially this year, with me coming off the bench,’’ Blayke said.

“We can’t hide it - we both want to be starting hookers, it’s a tough situation - but right now we’re just happy to be playing with each other.’’

Originally published as Jayden and Blayke Brailey will realise a lifelong dream when they play together for Cronulla