Luke Brooks knows his old housemate stands between him and his finals fairytale continuing.
And after being forced to wait 4040 days for his first finals appearance last week, he is now plotting how to try and shut his old mate James Tedesco down.
Brooks and Tedesco spent a year living together in Hunter's Hill with Mitch Moses, and still consider each other friends.
Tedesco eventually moved out shortly after signing with the Sydney Roosters, winning premierships in his first two years at the club.
Moses also played finals in his first season away from Concord and featured in a grand final in 2022.
Brooks has famously been forced to wait a little longer, before moving to Manly this year.
And now it's Tedesco and the Roosters in his way in Saturday's semi-final.
"I probably don't look at it too much like (coming up against a mate)," Brooks said.
"Maybe afterwards it is something we will look back on.
"Tactically, he is someone who we are going to have to stop. He has been in great form and he does a lot for their side.
"He is one we will have to stop if we're going to win the game ... If we can limit his opportunities as much as possible, it will help us."
Tedesco was among those to take joy in watching Brooks' first finals match on Sunday, knowing fully well the excruciating wait the half had been through.
The No.6 played a key role in Manly's superb scrum try and also shovelled the ball off quickly in the lead up to the Sea Eagles' late match-winning Tolu Koula try.
"I'm definitely happy for him," Tedesco said.
"I thought Brooksy was really good. We all have close mates who are the same mates, so we were all really happy for him.
"To come up against him this week, it will be a good battle. I am happy for him, but I don't want to be too happy."
Brooks is also relieved all the talk about his long wait for finals can now end.
Even the Tigers got in on the act this week, congratulating Brooks on his first finals appearance and "showing loyalty when others didn't" to the joint-venture.
There were also a raft of messages from friends, as well as endless questions from media.
"I'm glad it's done," Brooks said.
"Every question or every person that has come up to me has mentioned it. I am just glad it is done now and we can focus on the actual game.
"It was a little bit of nerves, but not more than usual. It honestly just felt like a normal game. It didn't feel too different to me."
