Brisbane prop Tom Flegler wants to win a premiership before he joins the Dolphins and says he won't be taking a backward step on Friday night against the veteran prop who will captain him next year.
Flegler's showdown with Dolphins skipper Jesse Bromwich will be one to savour at Suncorp Stadium when the undefeated near neighbours clash in their first derby.
"He has had an outstanding career. He has been one of the most dominant props in the game for many years now," Flegler said of 33-year-old New Zealand captain Bromwich.
"He is a handy forward, don't get me wrong, but that is not going to intimidate us."
Flegler, 23, recently signed with the Dolphins from 2024 but this season is on a mission to win a title with Broncos teammates including Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Kotoni Staggs and Herbie Farnworth, who's also Dolphins-bound.
"We are all the same age. A lot of us boys have been together since (under) 20s so to do something special this year will be outstanding for us," Flegler said.
"We've been through a lot of downs so I think it is time for us to have a few ups now. There are not too many clubs that could keep a group of boys like that together so it would be really awesome (to win a premiership).
"We have set ourselves up well so far. In saying that it is only round three so we need to keep performing each week."
The Broncos are on top of the NRL ladder ahead of the Dolphins, but the two are separated only by for-and-against.
"I guess I probably am a little bit surprised. I think teams are underestimating them," Flegler said of the Dolphins' early success.
"They are a very tough team. They work for 80 minutes. They compete for each other. They go out there and earn the jersey each week.
"It is going to be forward pack against forward pack. That is where it is going to be won. We are looking to go out there and make a statement."
Flegler started in the 40-18 win over St George Illawarra on Saturday night and was aggressive and dominant.
"Obviously I would like to start every week and play good," he said.
"We ground it out and it sets us up for (what) is going to be a massive game. They are undefeated. We are undefeated. They are a new team in the comp in Brisbane, so we are going to have it out with them."
