NRL 2023: New Bronco Fletcher Baker joins a host of big names at start of pre-season

Brisbane’s Fletcher Baker says he ready for a Vegas rumble with his former side the Roosters, as the Broncos made their official return to the track ahead of their premiership redemption quest.

Fletcher Baker, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

Broncos recruit Fletcher Baker has spoken about his decision to quit the Roosters as he aims to become Brisbane’s new Tom Flegler and targets a round 1 grudge match with his former club in Las Vegas.

Baker joined his new teammates for their first official training session of the 2024 pre-season on Monday morning at a sweltering Red Hill.

The first group of Broncos players to report for pre-season were put through a gruelling fitness session to kickstart their premiership redemption quest following the heartbreaking grand final loss to Penrith.

Baker, 23, is Brisbane’s most notable off-season recruit, joining the Broncos following a 46-game stint with the Tri-Colours.

Fletcher Baker, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

The departure of Queensland Origin prop Flegler (Dolphins) and improved bench middle Keenan Palasia (Titans) has freed up spots in Brisbane’s pack and Baker may not have to wait long to face his ex-teammates, with the Broncos and Roosters to clash in the historic Vegas season-opener.

Baker said he was excited to join the Broncos on the back of Brisbane’s 2023 grand final campaign.

“I was lucky enough to have a couple of clubs (make offers), a bit of interest, and it was either Roosters or Brisbane,” he said.

“I love Roosters and it’s sad to leave the nest but I love the footy up here. It’s a young crew and exciting.

“To play alongside the crew they’ve got, the forwards, is incredible. I want to get my best pre-season in and make an impression.

“I want to be in the team and wherever I fit I’ll fit.

“Keenan and Flegler are good players.

“The team they were last year and this year as well, their football complements me as well. I like to play support, ball-play and get quick play-the-balls.

“If you can do that off Payne Haas, Patty Carrigan and the pretty boys at the back … it’s great footy.”

Baker made his NRL debut for the Roosters in 2021 but never really cemented a spot in a pack led by representative enforcers Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Lindsay Collins and Victor Radley.

He signed with the Broncos long before Brisbane’s grand final charge and said he was impressed by the club’s turnaround under coach Kevin Walters since the 2020 wooden spoon season.

“The Broncos weren’t going too good a couple of years ago, but they’ve turned that around massively,” he said.

Fletcher Baker had a tough session at Red Hill on Monday. Picture: Liam Kidston

“You can see how they train, the forwards, the backs, they work so hard and are a tight crew.

“They’ve got some older heads like Marty (Taupau), (Kurt) Capewell, Corey (Oates) and Adam (Reynolds) running the ship. It’s really well balanced and exciting.

“I played the cards right, didn’t I?

“The Roosters at the start of this year were in a rough spot and ‘Robbo’ (Roosters coach Trent Robinson) turned that ship around massively. These boys did the same thing.

“Then Broncos against Melbourne in the finals was good footy. Their completions and the way they can play ad lib football is impressive.

“I went from one good club to a better club I reckon.

“I take that back, I’m not going to say the Broncos are better than the Roosters. They’re both great teams.

“There’s a lot of pressure on the Roosters and that was tough at the start. In 2021 there was a couple of injuries and Robbo and the older boys held that ship so well

“I haven’t seen inside this system but they seem to do the same thing.”

Former Rooster Fletcher Baker strides out at Broncos training. Picture: Liam Kidston

Baker started training earlier this month after moving to Brisbane, knowing the summer humidity in Queensland would be tough to overcome if he came in underprepared.

He was vocal on the paddock in his first hit-out and is hoping to make Brisbane’s best 17 ahead of the Vegas clash with the Roosters.

“They’ve obviously lost some good players, but if you look inside these walls there’s some young players coming through and really developing,” he said.

“Hopefully I can play that part as well.

“They’ve lost good players but also got a lot of potential coming through.

“I’m trying to make a good impression, being loud and giving it 110 per cent, but I think I’ve got to work up to it.

“I want to train hard and stay injury-free. It (Vegas) would be a good milestone but hopefully I get there.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: New Bronco Fletcher Baker joins a host of big names at start of pre-season