It will be mate against mate at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, when Sydney young gun Jake Lloyd squares off against an in-form friend he lived with for two years.
St Kilda key forward Tim Membrey and Lloyd both started their AFL journeys when they were uprooted from country Victoria and shifted to Australia's most populous city.
When Lloyd arrived at Sydney airport, understandably in shock given it was the same day as the league's rookie draft in 2012, he found a suitable welcoming party in housemates Membrey and Jed Lamb.
Lloyd and Membrey became thick as thieves as they journeyed down the rabbit hole together, sharing a home, office and commute.
Both youngsters debuted at the SCG, aged 20.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Lloyd went on to play 21 games in 2014, including the grand final, but Membrey understandably struggled to break into a forward line that featured Lance Franklin, Adam Goodes and Kurt Tippett.
Membrey decided to join the Saints.
"It was sad to see him leave but it's been great to see him go on and have a big opportunity," Lloyd told AAP.
"He's a country boy, I'm from the country. It didn't take long at all for us to become mates. Every day we were together.
"It was in his best interest to go, so I just wished him well and hoped everything went well. That's life.
"We still have a chat here and there. I got to know his family, so if they're ever in Sydney it's always great to catch up."
Membrey's one game as a Swan came when Franklin was a late withdrawal.
The powerful forward was watching TV when coach John Longmire called approximately eight hours before the bounce. Lloyd recalls the household's elation as one of many "really good times".
Membrey has since played 58 matches for St Kilda.
He was the club's leading goal-kicker in the past two seasons, booted a career-best six goals last week, and is pivotal to the Saints stopping their winless streak spanning 10 weeks.
Lloyd won't man Membrey directly but the pair are sure to clash in a marking contest at some point.
"If it (Membrey busting a pack and hurting Lloyd) happens, it happens. It's part of the game," Lloyd said.
Membrey may also hit his friend with a recruitment pitch. Lloyd, who finished equal second in Sydney's best and fairest count last year, comes off contract at the end of this season and is yet to re-sign.
"I try not to think about it too much. That's why you have a manager," Lloyd said.
