When Ipswich Jets take on Townsville Blackhawks this weekend, the two players lining up in No.11 jerseys have names rugby league fans are more than familiar with... Price and Hetherington.
These two names make old Queensland Maroons and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs fans nod and remember the past.
Riley Price has been playing well with the Blackhawks and Zac Hetherington has been one of the star performers each week for the Jets.
Zac's dad Jason Hetherington played 118 games for the Bulldogs, distributing the ball to rampaging Bulldogs forwards over a career that brought a premiership in 1995 and a grand final in 1998.
Running off the Hetherington service and 222 games for the Bulldogs was Riley's dad Steve Price.
Price played in the 1995-premiership, scoring the Bulldogs' first try and backed up again 1998, and captained the Bulldogs in the 2004 triumph over the Sydney Roosters.
Price and Hetherington also played seven State of Origin games together for Queensland.
Jason Hetherington said the clash between the two sons would "be good".
“I have been happy with Zac’s form this year... he’s still learning to play Intrust Super Cup and his role at the Jets," Hetherington said.
“Saturday is another chance to improve, I think his attack has been showing gains.
“His defence has always been strong, but he’s been in the middle for his whole life so bit of adjustment to the edge.
“The wheel of life turns again and it’ll be good to see Zac play Riley.”
The two young men with the famous Maroons and Bulldogs names will be looking to get over each other and win for their teams - and there won’t be a bald head or head gear in sight at Jack Manski Oval in Townsville.
Match: Blackhawks v Jets
Round 15 -
home Team
Blackhawks
6th Position
away Team
Jets
13th Position
Venue: Jack Manski Oval, Townsville
Zac Hetherington has played 12 games for the Jets this year and Riley Price has played six games for the Blackhawks.
“I have never played against Zac, but obviously our fathers have history together at the Bulldogs,” Riley Price said.
“I am loving playing Intrust Super Cup for the Blackhawks... we have a good supporter base up here and it will be good to play at home on Saturday.
“This game is a chance for us to string some wins together and gather some momentum for the finals. We had won two in a row and then lost last week to Norths.
“The way the Intrust Super Cup is at the moment you can’t lose two games. The Pride and Magpies are right behind us.”
On the other side of the scrum will be Zac Hetherington, who said he was aware of the clash with Price this week, but he wasn’t prepared to take the similarities any further.
“I won’t be shaving my head... I am not ready to look like dad just yet,” Hetherington laughed.
“I rang dad and pointed it out to him and he just said you make sure you give it to him... that’s just dad, he’d say that no matter what.
“We have to move on from the Falcons game and getting away to Townsville and playing the Blackhawks will be a good chance.
“I made my debut in round one against the Blackhawks and I think we have improved since then.
“We will have to do the little things right on Saturday, that’s what always wins games.”
The Blackhawks are looking to consolidate and gather momentum and the Jets are looking to right the ship from last week, which will make a great clash in Townsville with two teams that have a rich history against each other.
Of course, the first time Price tackles Hetherington, the old men will nod and smile.
