Hooker Jake Turpin says he’s looking forward to rekindling his combination with new halfback Brodie Croft – but first has to achieve his goal of locking down the No.9 jersey for 2020.

Turpin and Croft are good mates having played alongside each other in the Melbourne Storm system, and Turpin said the halfback has slotted straight into Broncos training since arriving last week.

“Crofty and I spent a lot of time down in Melbourne together, played a lot of 20s together … he’s one of my really good mates and it’s really good to have him here in Brissy,” said Turpin.

View this post on Instagram Stezza 2015 💃🏼 #Melbourne A post shared by Jake Turpin (@jaketurpin) on Dec 7, 2015 at 2:25am PST

“The club and all the boys are very excited and he’s gelled very well with all the team, and you can tell the sort of calibre he is with just the week that he’s had with us.

“He can definitely have the halfback spot and I’m back at hooker and enjoying it.”

I want that No.9 jersey Jake Turpin

Turpin said he and another good mate – former Queensland Origin rake Andrew McCullough – were in healthy competition for the starting spot at No.9.

‘My goal for this year is that I want that No.9 jersey and so does Macca, but that’s healthy competition and that’s really good for this club,” said Turpin.

“We can push each other to our limits and get the best out of each other and whoever gets it in the end will be the right fit for the team.

“I’ve said it all the way along that Macca is one of my really good mates and has been one of my favourite NRL players coming through, so for me to get to train with him and learn off him week in, week out – I’ve got to pinch myself.”