Timing is everything in rugby league and Ezra Mam and Reece Walsh have got it - on and off the field.
The Brisbane pair are flourishing in the No.6 and No.1 respectively in the resurgent NRL club's 5-0 start to the season.
Ahead of Saturday's clash with Canberra, Mam was asked about their burgeoning partnership. As if on cue, Walsh popped up.
"Ezra Mam," the confident 20-year-old bellowed at their Red Hill base. "Wham bam, Ezra Mam."
Mam flashed a smile.
"Speak of the devil," he offered reporters.
"It's good having him around and, for myself, handy having him next to me (on the field).
"Last year (halfback Adam Reynolds) took real good care of me; this year he's letting me just play footy and if I see anything, take it.
"He's there to steer the ship around, but let me have a bit of freedom on the edge with Walshy."
Mam has three tries and two try assists while Walsh has pushed his Queensland State of Origin case with three tries, six assists and 15 tackle busts.
Mam grew up idolising North Queensland star fullback Matt Bowen, who partnered with Johnathan Thurston to terrorise NRL defences.
"We're just trying to be our own players, form our own connection, and hopefully we turn out as good as those players did," Mam said of comparisons to the deadly Cowboys duo.
At the core of his good form is Mam's improved defence, the 85kg playmaker logging an impressive 86.3 per cent efficiency while making 101 tackles so far this season.
"It's a bit of a mindset thing; last year I was a bit of a target," he conceded.
"I worked in pre-season to build my body up, put all my power into my defence.
"If I'm getting that right, my attack will follow."
Brisbane put Wests Tigers to the sword last week to equal their best start to a season since 1998.
Mam said there have been no wild celebrations though, with last year's horror fade-out that led them to miss finals still burning.
"The boys had a bit of hurt from last year about what happened," he said.
"We came in in November wanting to make a change, bring our game to another level.
"A bit of mateship as well makes us want to play for each other and win games of footy."
