EFNL 2025: Fitness influencer ‘Prime Train’ headed for The Basin

One of local footy’s biggest social media sensations is set for a cameo in the Eastern league. Latest here.

Tom Baulch, aka ‘Prime Train’, pictured celebrating a goal for the Darwin Buffaloes. Picture: Celina Whan / AFLNT Media

Next stop: Eastern league.

Fitness influencer ‘Prime Train’ is set to lace up for Division 3 outfit The Basin in a coup the club declared as “one you will not want to miss”.

The social media sensation, whose name is Thomas Baulch and plies his trade as a fitness trainer, has amassed a following of more than 300,000 on TikTok through his programs while playing local footy across the country.

He’ll don the red and green stripes on May 10 against Scoresby.

It’s set to be a nice lift for the Bears after going winless in Division 2 last season, suffering relegation.

“Thomas is a perfect example of what hard work and dedication can do for you, and is a great role model for the younger generation coming through, with his educational social media videos providing constant and relevant information to those that follow him,” the club said in a statement.

“Admired by so many people already within our community, we couldn’t resist the opportunity for Prime Train to don the red and green, and cannot wait for the opportunity for him to run out on May the 10th vs. Scoresby and show The Basin what a star he is.”

The Basin is no stranger to one-off appearances from footy identities.

In 2017 it hosted former St Kilda, Sydney and Western Bulldogs hard man Barry Hall, and in 2023 it welcomed Brownlow medallist Dane Swan.

Baulch, 25, founded his business Prime Train in 2020, since “training thousands of athletes and pro athletes”, his website reads.

Tom Baulch with Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell. Photo: @primetrain on Instagram

“His vision was to create a platform for athletes to change the way they train to maximise performance and decrease their risk of injury.

“Playing Aussie rules at VFL, WAFL and NEAFL level he has experience in high level sport, combined with personal training and strength and conditioning certifications.”

No stranger to Melbourne’s local footy scene, last season Baulch turned out for Southern league Division 2 club Highett.

The Basin, which kicks off its season on April 5, has been contacted for further comment.