They grew up together in Werris creek, became co-captains of the Magpies and have now been appointed the side's co-coaches.
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In Cody Tickle, 26, and Tom Brown, 30, the Magpies' board have chosen as their new co-mentors two men whose identities are intrinsically linked to the tiny town they have represented with honour.
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The respected forwards have taken over from Ron Dellar and former NRL star Matt Parsons, who stepped down after two seasons in the role.
Tickle and Brown - who co-captained the side in 2019 - have been tasked with capturing the Magpies' first top-grade premiership since 1997 and their 11th title.
Tickle said when he heard that Dellar and Parsons were standing down, he knew that what he and Brown could offer as co-coaches would be "worthwhile" to the club.
He said of front-rower Brown: "He's a man of not many words, but his actions definitely speak louder than his words.
"That's sort of the way we want to go: we want to train hard and play footy even harder, which he does."
Tickle - a talented back-rower who is captain of Brown's Wests Entertainment Group 9s side, Shay Brennan Constructions - said he and Brown's co-coaching appointment was in keeping with the Magpies' homegrown culture.
He said the club was currently discussing with NSW Rugby League the COVID-19 protocols that need to be implemented so preseason training could start.
"We're preparing to play, put it that way," he said of the 2021 season, after 2020 was cancelled because of COVID.
