Hands off: Broncos move to stop rival NRL clubs poaching young gun

Brisbane chiefs have ramped up plans to keep the highly rated 19-year-old front-rower at Red Hill until the end of 2022, after two Sydney clubs already lodged interest with his management.

Thomas Flegler in action during a Brisbane Broncos training session in Brisbane, Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (AAP Image/Jono Searle) NO ARCHIVING

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The Broncos have moved to stave off rival poaching threats for Tom Flegler by commencing contract talks with the boom forward.

As Flegler prepares for tonight’s Broncos-Cowboys derby in Townsville, Brisbane chiefs have ramped up plans to keep the highly rated 19-year-old front-rower at Red Hill until the end of 2022.

Flegler is contracted to Brisbane until the end of the next year, meaning rival clubs can formally hold negotiations with the Tully product from November 1.

Two Sydney clubs have already lodged interest with Flegler’s management, but the Broncos have no plans to lose a key member of the club’s stable of young gun forwards.

Two Sydney clubs have lodged interest with Tom Flegler’s management. Picture: AAP

Flegler made his NRL debut in the season-opener against Melbourne and has shown impressive consistency for a teenage bookend, playing the 18th game of his rookie season against the Cowboys tonight.

The Broncos have embarked on a successful retention drive this season, securing fellow forwards Matt Lodge, Tevita Pangai Jr and Jake Turpin, and now they are keen to upgrade Flegler.

“Tom is very settled at the Broncos,” his manager Tas Bartlett said.

Thomas Flegler lines up for his 18th NRL game tonight. Picture: Peter Wallis

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“He has just bought his first home in Brisbane, so we don’t want to disrupt that.

“I’ve had a couple of Sydney clubs ring me about his circumstances, but his focus is on re-signing with the Broncos before November 1 if a deal can be struck. The Broncos have been great for Tom, they have looked after him and nine times out of 10, if both parties want a deal done, it gets done.

“Tom has never been showcased to any other clubs.

“He loves the Broncos, so I won’t be rolling the stallion out on the market parading him for interest if he is happy at the Broncos.”

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Flegler, who turns 20 in a fortnight, is rated a future Queensland Origin forward and has impressed this season with his defence and no-nonsense charges in midfield.

While Flegler is tipped for big things, Bartlett said the Maroons under-20s sensation had been tested by the speed and brutality of the NRL.

“Tom has been surprised by the intensity of the NRL week in, week out, which is natural for any young guy,” he said.

“Tom is aggressive, he brings that component to the Broncos. He could probably run the ball a bit more, but that comes with experience.

Thomas Flegler is rated a future Queensland Origin forward.

“He’s in his first year of first grade and has played 10 games more than he thought he would have got at the start of the year.

“He has taken the opportunity and held his spot consistently. Next year he will get even better.”

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold said he was so pleased with the club’s emerging forwards, such as Flegler, he felt no need to buy a senior prop.

“We have invested heavily in keeping Payne Haas, Matt Lodge, Tevita Pangai, Pat Carrigan and Joe Ofahengaue. Tom Flegler has another year to go and we want to retain him,” Seibold said.

Originally published as Hands off: Broncos move to stop rival NRL clubs poaching young gun