Turpin enjoying being reunited with childhood mate Croft

The continuation of a childhood connection with new recruit Brodie Croft won't necessarily mean that Jake Turpin has the inside running for the No.9 Broncos jersey, according to the man himself.

He doesn't deny that reuniting with Croft has been like a hand slipping into a glove but he won't go as far as stating it's given him the edge over 250-gamer Andrew McCullough.

"I don't think anyone has a head start. The coaches watch every single thing out there on the field and then go upstairs and watch it all over again," Turpin said as the Broncos returned to their Red Hill training field on Monday.

"They know what we're doing so it's whoever is right for the team.

"I'm so excited for the season. I'm not going to leave any leaf unturned."

And in that plan is re-strengthening the bond he has built up with Croft over the years.

'It definitely helps. We played a lot of footy together growing up," Turpin said of the former Melbourne Storm halfback.

"We know how each other plays - some things you just know what the other will do. I know what Crofty will do and what he's thinking and he probably knows what I'm thinking and doing.

"We've gelled pretty well because we've played together. I spent a lot of time with Crofty in Melbourne 20s and pretty much grew up with Crofty.

"I'm really enjoying having one of my good mates here. And he's loving it too – you can tell by training. He's loving it here and he's pretty much a leader already."

But not for a second is Turpin taking his eyes off McCullough as he openly duels with the 29-year-old for starting hooker.

"That's the goal but Macca has been probably the best hooker to come through this club. Having him train here with me every day helps a lot," Turpin said.

"Competition for this club is what this club needs. It's very healthy.

"There's no rivalry at all. I've said this all the way through. We're really close mates off the field - we hang out daily and on our days off we catch up for coffees and meals.

"To have Macca at this club means I can pretty much pick his brain every day. It's so good for me and my learning as to where I want to go with my career."

A second pre-season with coach Anthony Seibold has also been in much calmer waters than the first, when the former Rabbitohs mentor arrived in early December in a direct swap with former head coach Wayne Bennett, who had started the 2019 pre-season in Brisbane.

"It's obviously going to be a lot more smoother transition this year, with all the stuff that happened last year," Turpin said.

"The boys built relationships with Seibs last year so they came into this year knowing what he was like.

"The boys are really enjoying Seibs and you can tell by the way we're training out there. It's been really good."

Turpin played 19 games in 2019 – six at hooker and the rest at halfback and five-eighth. His versatility is obvious but he knows he needs consistency to lock down a spot in Siebold's 17.

"Every year is going to be a big year from now on. It's a really, really exciting time for the club and an exciting time for me," he said.

"Every day counts, every training session counts, every pass counts, every kick counts... that's what I'm focusing on. So yes, 2020 can be a big year for me."