Taylan May insists the dream of playing alongside his brothers is not dead, despite putting the fairytale story aside and making a "hard" decision to stay at Penrith.
May ended months of questions about his future when he inked a new three-year deal with the Panthers last week, overlooking significant interest from rivals.
The in-form centre confirmed he had received a number of offers on the table, while also talking to the Sydney Roosters.
A Bondi move would have potentially allowed he and his brother Terrell to fulfil a lifelong dream of playing together, with older sibling Tyrone in the Super League.
But the 22-year-old Taylan opted to put his future to bed by extending at Penrith, admitting the situation had become too stressful.
"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard. I obviously had a few options and wanting to play with my brothers," May said.
"But here's home for me. I love it here. I think I'll grow here the most.
"The only other club I wanted to go to was Roosters but it didn't happen and that's alright.
"(Linking up with Terrell) was heaps close. But we all agreed that everyone do their own thing for now and hopefully down the line we can link up.
"The dream is still not dead."
Taylan has, however, conceded he will likely have to leave Penrith to make that dream a reality.
Tyrone was forced out of the club after a controversial stint and is in his first season with Hull KR after two years with Catalans.
Terrell is off-contract at the Roosters this year and remains in talks with the Tri-colours.
And while he could potentially be lured away as one of the best young props on the market, Taylan is resigned to the fact Penrith will not be a potential bidder.
"He would come back here (if he was offered) but what he's on now and what he's getting offered, I don't think we could afford him," Taylan said.
"Maybe eventually down the line we could play together in Super League, but that's later, later on."
Taylan and Terrell will clash on Thursday night at Allianz Stadium, after also squaring off in the latter's debut in 2022.
But Taylan admitted it would feel weirder this week given the more vital role his brother now has at the Roosters.
"I hope he rips up but we win," he said.
"It's going to be scary playing him now because he's playing long minutes and I know what he can do. He's killing it.
"It is hard playing against him because I do wish good upon him. If he scores three tries and we won still, I'd be happy.
"My dad is definitely going for the Panthers because he's a die-hard Panthers fan, but my mum, she's just going for whoever touches the ball out of us.
"All my cousins are going for the Roosters. I've lost them, they're all turncoats."
