Luke Brooks has conceded he would likely be forced out of the Wests Tigers should coach Ivan Cleary seek to unite with son Nathan.
The potential match-up between halfbacks Brooks and Cleary shapes as a blockbuster head-to-head battle when the Tigers take on the Panthers in Thursday's NRL clash at Panthers Stadium.
After missing the last seven weeks, Cleary is racing the clock to recover from a torn medial ligament to face his father's side.
Brooks let slip that Ivan had told the Tigers squad that his son would be fit for the round-11 encounter.
"He probably will be back, we got the inside information," Brooks said.
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As well as being a face-off between the Cleary clan, there's plenty for Tigers halfback Brooks to prove.
Ivan has made no secret of his desire to one day coach Nathan, previously admitting: "We've discussed the possibility. It's obviously a unique opportunity and I think we'd both really like to do it."
Any bid to lure Nathan to the Tigers would have obvious implications for Brooks and in all likelihood force him to find a new home.
Both are off contract at the end of 2019, meaning it will all come to a head in the next 18 months.
To add weight to the speculation, Ivan was seen showing Nathan around Leichhardt Oval following Thursday night's win over North Queensland.
"I guess I take it as it comes, he probably could be here," Brooks said.
"My dad would probably choose me over someone else. I hope he would.
"If that happens, it happens. I can't control that.
"He has said he wants to play under Ivan.
"In saying that, Ivan has said he has full confidence in me."
And Ivan's confidence has proved a cornerstone of Brooks' turnaround this year.
Since coming into first grade in 2013, Brooks has never found his consistent best until coming under Ivan's mentorship.
After 10 rounds, the No.7 has fired his side into finals contention for the first time since 2011 and his name into State of Origin discussions.
Brooks and Ivan have addressed the elephant in the room and the Tigers pivot said he was comfortable with where he stood.
"When it first came out last year, he brought me in and told me has faith in me and he said it again at the start of the pre-season," Brooks said.
