One has 264 NRL games, 16 Origins and 15 Tests to his name, the other has played just three NRL matches... but one thing Brad Schneider does have in common with Daly Cherry-Evans is they both stood tall under intense pressure in round three.
Having laid on the try for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad that drew Canberra level and then cooly potted the conversion to complete a remarkable comeback over the Titans, 21-year-old Schneider heads for Mudgee full of confidence for Saturday's clash with Manly.
Standing next to him at the scrumbase will be the Sea Eagles captain, fresh from landing the 24th field goal of his NRL career to get his team home in a dour struggle with the Bulldogs at 4 Pines Park.
Just three years ago, Schneider captained Kirwan State High to victory over Westfields Sports High in the 2019 Schoolboys Cup final, two days before Cherry-Evans captained Manly in a semi-final against the Rabbitohs at Stadium Australia.
Schneider relishing Cherry-Evans challenge
"It's pretty surreal coming up against Daly, I idolised him when I was younger," Schneider said.
"I'm pinching myself playing against guys I watched when I was younger and being on the same teams as guys like Paps [Josh Papalii] and Jarrod [Croker].
"Sometimes you look around and think, 'it's actually you'. It's awesome. I love it."
Making Schneider's transition to the big time that much smoother is halves partner Jack Wighton, the 2020 Dally M Medal winner and himself a veteran of 202 games.
"Jack told me to take control so I try and steer the ship as much as I can and he just plays instinct footy," Schneider said.
"He has been massive for my growth and so has Ricky Stuart, he gave me a lot of guidance when I first came here.
Raiders rejoice: Comeback complete
"I'm getting more confident each week and I'm growing. I've only had two full games so I’m taking everything in like a sponge.
"It's sad for Jamal [Fogarty] getting injured, you never want to see anyone get hurt, but that has given me an opportunity and there's a great bunch of boys here who've made it easy to jump in."
With 153 running metres, 53 tackles, six conversions and two try assists across his first two games, that's exactly what Schneider has done, and if he can get one over Cherry-Evans in Mudgee it'll be another 'pinch yourself' moment for the young Queenslander.