Whether playing side by side, or in opposition to one another, siblings often create the toughest competition for one another. Or, they team up to become tough competitors.

This week, our Top 5 takes a look at the best siblings in professional sport - whether on the same team, or going head to head in direct competition.

5. Brett and Glenn Stewart (Manly Sea Eagles)
The Stewart brothers have developed into two of the most lethal players with the Manly Sea Eagles over the past few seasons. Brett is one of the best fullbacks in the NRL, and has a flare for scoring trys - including the most in this years NRL competition, with 19. Younger brother Glenn is the workhorse of the two, playing in the forwards, although he's capable of playing in the halves too.

Both have been named in Australia's World Cup squad after an excellent year with the Sea Eagles and, while Glenn is yet to play State of Origin footy, we don't think it will be long before he steps up along side his older brother.

These two brothers are definitely two of the best in the business.


4. Zinzan and Robin Brooke (Auckland, All Blacks)
The Brooke brothers are two of the best players to ever play for the All Blacks, and played 120 Tests between them during the 1990's (Zinzan 58, Robin 62). Not only were they both an important part of the All Blacks during the 1990's, but both played for Auckland during it's dominant reign on New Zealand rugby.

Both Zinzan and Robin were natural leaders, and both were players who lead from the front. Zinzan captained the Blues to the 1996 and 1997 Super 12 titles, while Robin went on to captain them in 2000 and 2001. There have been few brothers in rugby who have dominated the game like the Brooke brothers did.


3. Georgina and Caroline Ever-Swindell (Rowing)
New Zealand's 'Golden Girls' of rowing. They became Olympic champions at Athens winning the double sculls Gold medal, and successfully defended their title at Beijing - winning by literally the smallest of margins to reclaim the Gold.

Their win at Beijing was something truly special, especially considering that their build-up to the games had been somewhat unsuccessful. Heading into the medal race most people had counted them out, and thought it was an achievement that they had made it that far. By the end of the race, though, we doubt there was a New Zealander sitting in their chair - everyone was up, leaping up with excitement. The 'Golden Girls' had done it again.

Georgina and Caroline have since announced their retirement from the sport, choosing to go out on the ultimate high.

2. Venus and Serena Williams (Tennis)
These two are two of the biggest tennis stars of the past decade, and there's not much separating the two. In the eighteen official matches between the two sisters, Serena has the slightest of edges - winning ten of the eighteen over her older sister.

Both have won nine Grand Slams each, while Venus has 37 Career Titles to Serena's 32.

No doubt the girls parents have a tough time picking who they want to win, especially when they meet up against each other...

1. Peyton and Eli Manning (American Football)

In 2006 Peyton Manning helped lead the Indianapolis Colts to Super Bowl XLI, where he became the MVP in the Colts 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears. The very next season his younger brother, Eli, helped lead the New York Giants to the Super Bowl title, where he too won the MVP award.

Both stars have the quarterback position in their blood - their father Archie played for the New Orleans Saints, Houston Oilers and the Minnisota Vikings during the 1970s and 80s. It's no wonder they've gone on to become two of the best quarterbacks in the NFL today.




You can just imagine how fierce the competition must have been in the backyard of the Manning household...friendly game of footy, anyone?










(Photo's by Bwana and Joseph Hoetzl - Flickr.)