IN the Morton household, "bragging rights" are always up for grabs.
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Even the simplest activity in the backyard generally descends into a serious contest. But that competitiveness will be put on hold on Saturday when siblings Abbey and Dylan wear the Wagga Tigers' black and gold in qualifying finals at Narrandera Sportsground.
Dylan, 21, is a key defender for the Tigers' first grade football team while goalkeeper Abbey, 18, is playing her first year of first grade netball.
"We've always been really competitive, trying to beat each other," Dylan said.
"We both got runner-up in our best and fairests this year. We try and get an advantage over the other so someone can have bragging rights, but neither of us can get it at the moment.
"We're both defenders, both runners up and both on the same page with everything."
Abbey may have her nose in front after she helped Wagga Blaze retain their Waratah League division one basketball title earlier this month, and was also named in the league's all-star five.
"I've got to try and get in the (Riverina League) team of the year now, don't I?," Dylan laughed.
At home games at Robertson Oval, their parents Jason and Cathie are usually at a vantage point on the hill where they can keep an eye on both matches.
The Mortons are just one example of a number of siblings who feature in the club's football and netball teams, a situation not dissimilar to many country league teams.
"It really is a big family club at the moment," Dylan said.
"Some are playing footy and other play netball, it makes the club really enjoyable to be a part of."
Abbey is also a talented footballer in her own right, where she is also a key defender. She was part of the Mater Dei Catholic College squad which won the Open Girls School of Excellence Cup at Canberra in July.
"Dylan coming back was a big factor, playing with your brother at the same club is pretty cool. I've always been around the footy club," she said.
"And I finished my junior years with basketball so there was a little less basketball going on."
Abbey faces the big task of shutting down Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes' gun shooter Katie Caller.
The Tigers finished third after the regular season and are gunning for a fourth straight Riverina League premiership.
Although it's her maiden first grade finals campaign, Abbey believes her exposure to playoffs in basketball will help her settle.
"I've learned lessons (with Blaze) on how to settle and set pace, when to speed the game or slow it down and composure," she said.
"I definitely love playing on the good shooters like Katie, it's a great challenge. I love the harder games and ones that are more important, they're the best one to play in."
Dylan said taking on the Swans again this week is a positive.
"I think it's a good thing. When you lose to a team your natural instinct is to want another crack at them and you have have to wait a few weeks," he said.
"We had some players who were a bit down and they're ready to back up and prove themselves again."
He insists he is fit and ready after playing out last week's clash despite copping a knock to his shoulder.
"It's just a stinger and it was hurting during the game, but it's amazing what a bit of rest does," he said.
Barry and Cathie will be in Corowa this Saturday to watch oldest child Brady play for Albury Tigers in the Ovens and Murray League qualifying final against Wangaratta.
"Even when we play games in the backyard it always gets serious," Dylan said.
"We've grown up where anything outdoors is fun. We're lucky all of us love cricket, footy, any sporting."
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