The first time that more than one of the brothers played for Victoria together came in 1946–47, after Neil was selected to play for the state against Tasmania. At the time, a second-string team was used to play Tasmania—who were not in the Sheffield Shield—in two first-class matches, while the strongest team played in the regular interstate competition. Neil struck a century in the second match against Tasmania, and was called into the Victorian team to play against New South Wales in a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG, and he played alongside Merv for their state's three remaining matches of the season. However, the brothers never batted together in these three matches. Merv opened the batting and was always out before Neil came in, usually at No. 6 upon the fall of the fourth wicket. Merv captained at first-class level for the first time in the last match, a draw against South Australia that was severely shortened by rain.