Family ties sent to the background

Byatt will referee the clash which features older brother Robbie lining up for the Thunder against younger brother Matt and his Blues.

Both will start in the forward pack this week which should only spice up the second encounter between the two brothers on the field this season.

Byatt works hard to ensure there is a distinction between any family ties and his role in the middle however the 29-year-old did admit it was a game he set his sights on officiating.

"It was probably one game I did want to referee this year," Byatt said.

"Over the years a lot of people have said it was probably too much pressure refeering my brothers and it just eggs me on a little to try and prove them wrong and prove that I can do it."

Byatt already reffed Matt once this season but it will be the first time he's been at a helm of one of Robbie's games.

However he has had plenty of experience with both on the field as a tough judge.

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It's an unusual situation the trio find themselves in so there has been plenty of banter leading into the clash.

However Byatt is confident it won't change his approach.

"There's been a few digs at each throughout the week so far and a little bit of chat but it's been pretty good," he said.

"Before the game we're brothers and will have a good chat and a bit of a laugh but once we cross that line they are just other players and if they are going to do the wrong thing that is when penalties will go against them.

"I won't be expecting too much chat from them but we'll find out on Saturday."

Byatt started refeering in his teenage years and is in his third season in charge of Group Nine first grade games.

He admitted the season didn't start well but has been thrilled with the progress he's been making.

"Fitness was a big thing for me in 2019 and I dropped about 25 to 30 kilos and it helped me," Byatt said.

"Through the rep season I was getting some good centres in under 23s.

"Having (Ben) Whitby and Scotty (Muir) help me out has been pretty good and I've been happy doing some big games.

"I'm also learning from round one, which I don't think I refereed the best I could possibly do, but since then I felt like I've improved every round."