There is a mutual respect between the administrations of the Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos.
But the love-in stops at the front office, says Titans boss Michael Searle.
Searle says the Broncos still look down their noses with "contempt" whenever they meet the Titans on the paddock.
While he and counterpart Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen are friends and regular allies in their dealings with the NRL, on-field divisions remain deep, especially for the Coast contingent.
Even if deadpan coaches John Cartwright and Wayne Bennett steer clear of pumping up a confrontation made more mouthwatering by the return of Scott Prince, the ever-passionate Searle is more than happy to take a swing.
"I think there's a level of respect between the two club's administrations. But I think the moment they walk onto the football field, Brisbane has always shown contempt to Gold Coast sides," said Searle, who earlier this year accused the Broncos of treating the Coast like "second-class citizens".
"It doesn't matter whether you're administrators or football players or on a building site or politicians. It's about Brisbane and the Gold Coast. And there's nothing better than bragging rights."
It was Searle who was doing the bragging when he met Cullen at posh riverside steak joint Cha Cha Char to cash in on a bet made before the Titans' 26-24 win over Brisbane in April.
Cullen handed over a heritage Broncos jersey - possibly bound for the boardroom dartboard - before coughing up for a steak and and some drinks.
He conceded there once was a dismissive attitude eminating from Red Hill, but that viewpoint had been promptly sunk by a number of upset wins by the various incarnations of the Gold Coast franchise.
"I certainly think in the past, particularly going back to '88 and '89, there might have been some disrespect, not accepting they were an NRL side," Cullen said.
"But they were quite capable of causing an upset, which they did and have done ever since.
"As Michael said, the administrators all get on really well.
"I'm sure the players have learned, sometimes the hard way, that if you don't go out there ready to play a decent game of footy, you're going to pay for it."
A third straight loss for Brisbane will put them in danger of slipping further down the eight, while the injury-prone Titans can kiss their finals aspirations goodbye if they are beaten up by big brother.
Searle told Cullen it would be double-or-nothing on Friday, a bold move considering Brisbane are at full strength thanks to the return of Karmichael Hunt, Tonie Carroll, Greg Eastwood and Justin Hodges.
"Our season's continuing to bubble along but it's on the line. Having Scott Prince back is exciting. At the same token, the Broncos have got a star-studded line-up, one of the strongest sides they've fielded all year. We're under no illusions," Searle said.
"Rest assured the one thing this club has never done is lie down and we won't do that on Friday night."
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