Brodie Croft has set himself clear goals for the upcoming 2016 season and is determined to tick each of them off one by one.
The developing Storm halfback received an enticing taste of Origin football last year when he was named 18th man for the Under 20s State of Origin game at the MCG.
This time around Croft is focused on making the run-on team when the two development sides meet again in Sydney later this year as is also determined to make the Thunderbolts No.7 jersey his own in 2016.
He spent the past weekend in an emerging camp as apart of the Queensland Academy of Sport program where he received some valuable words of advice from Maroons legend Darren Lockyer.
“Darren was really good and he spoke strongly of this Queensland spirit and what it takes to be an Origin player,” Croft said.
“He spoke about how it’s not always about the most talented or skillful players but it’s about what you’ve got inside and what you are willing to give and put on the line for your mates and your state which is something that really hit us boys.”
In Melbourne, Croft has another Maroons champion offering him a wealth of experience in the form of current Club, Origin and Australian No.7 Cooper Cronk.
A teenage halfback could hardly ask for a more ideal environment to hone their craft, an opportunity not lost on the Thunderbolts playmaker.
“Being a Melbourne Storm boy I obviously look up to Cooper Cronk. Learning how to be well structured, leading the team around, having a run here and there and setting up a few tries which is always good,” Croft said.
“Being the understudy and having Coops behind you, picking up on a couple of little things here and there that you can improve on in your game.
“That is something I really looked for when I signed with the Storm, I knew there would be no one better to help improve my game than Cooper Cronk.”
Croft has his eye on establishing himself as the Thunderbolts starting halfback and from there he hopes an U20s Maroons jersey and potential Queensland Cup appearances follow.
Click here for a full rundown of the Thunderbolts 2016 home fixture.
This video appeared first at QRL.com.au.
