IN-FORM experienced halfbacks Matt Orford (Sea Eagles) and Brett Kimmorley (Bulldogs) don’t need a GPS system to track one another over their long careers.

Their NRL journeys have followed similar paths over the years and will be renewed at Brookvale Oval on Monday night when the No 7s guide their respective teams in what should be a monumental battle.

Matt Orford had just beaten off Jason Taylor for the halfback spot at the Northern Eagles in 2000 when the joint venture club announced the signing of then Melbourne Storm premiership halfback Brett Kimmorley.

So “Noddy” came to Brookvale and the “Ox” headed south to take over Kimmorley’s spot at the Storm.

Ironically, Kimmorley only played one season with the Northern Eagles before it crashed and burned financially. Kimmorley headed to a successful period with the Cronulla Sharks before joining the Bulldogs at the start of the 2009 season.

And Orford came back to Brookvale in 2006 to renew his association with the northern beaches and guide the maroon and whites to a premiership last season.

Orford is now 31 and Kimmorley 33 but the two are next to superstar Johnathan Thurston as the best halfbacks in the competition.

Either could easily do the job for NSW in the final Origin game in Brisbane on July 15.

Both are highly respectful of each other’s ability.

Orford said of Kimmorley: “He is as busy as ever on the field and is the Dogs’ key player without a doubt. He will be their general and he knows every trick in the book.”

Kimmorley said of Orford: “Ox has been dominant for Manly in the past couple of seasons and has carried on his Dally M form of last season into this year. He is an excellent tactician, has a good short-kicking game and is fearless in defence.”

The clash of the halfbacks should ensure the best-ever crowd for a Monday night game at Brookvale Oval.

Manly coach Des Hasler - himself an ex-international and premiership halfback - said the halfbacks will be critical to each side.

“They are the playmakers - the go-to men for their respective teams,” Hasler said.

“Ox and Noddy will have the ball in their hands more than any other players and they remain two of the best players in our competition.

“It’s a tribute to their professional approach and their genuine love of the game they play.

“They will be amongst the smallest men on the field but they won’t give an inch.”

WEEK by week he has got better and, after an injury-riddled start to his Sea Eagles career, Tony Williams could prove a match winner coming off the bench for Des Hasler’s side.

Hasler is going with the big boppers George Rose and Jason King, smart-running dummy half Heath L’Estrange and Williams for Monday’s game.

Williams can cover fullback, wing and centre on top of a crack in the back row if need be. The big man’s offload for a Kieran Foran debut try against the Raiders is still the talk of the Brookie hill fans.

A difference from the bench is a massive bonus in modern day league and the Sea Eagles now have it big time.

FOR a long time this season referees’ boss Robert Finch has run with the game’s number one referee, Tony Archer, with a rookie sidekick as the back-up.

In most games Archer’s partner has been controversial Matt Cecchin who blew the late, much- discussed penalty against Manly skipper Matt Orford in the dying minutes against the Gold Coast Titans six weeks ago (Manly’s last loss).

The constructive outburst by Manly coach Des Hasler after the match resulted in all senior referees now controlling the vital final minutes of each half.

And surprise, surprise, the Sea Eagles have again been given Archer for Monday’s blockbuster against the Bulldogs but his partner for this one is much more experienced Jarrod Maxwell with Cecchin on duty in Melbourne for the Storm v Knights match on Saturday night.