Baira: 'I've had a footy in my hand since I was little'

Redcliffe Dolphins flyer Brenton Baira is fast, elusive, a try-scoring machine and extremely exciting to watch. These are all traits his dad Royston Lightning had as a player.

Lightning – brother to Townsville Blackhawks Hastings Deering Colts coach Roy Baira - played NRL for Canberra Raiders and has been the biggest influence in young Baira’s life – on and off the field.

Baira is signed with the Dolphins NRL side and works closely with Queensland Maroons flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Both play with the confidence and pizzazz of every Queensland child channelling their idols, playing backyard footy.

This year, the 20-year-old has played a mix of Hostplus Cup and Hastings Deering Colts.

“Since I was four or five years old, I have had a footy in my hand running around, watching my dad play,” Baira, who was born in Cairns but primarily grew up in Mackay, said.

“My dad has been a big influence on my footy… he’s been there my whole career and helped me get to where I am today.

“He always said ‘never give up’ and ‘always keep moving forward towards your goals’.”

It’s something Baira does. And when it comes to what is going through his head any time he breaks away, he said “not much to be honest…just ‘back yourself and go’.”

The young gun said his life was all family and footy and he would not have it any other way. His partner is expecting twins over the new year and he is thrilled to be playing finals footy.

“I think it’s very good... very exciting,” Baira said, adding he loved being in and around the footy environment.

“Getting to know the boys, being around it, getting around playing with different boys from different cultures and where they've come from… it’s good.”

Baira said his favourite moment of the year so far was scoring a try for the Dolphins during their NRL pre-season trial against North Queensland Cowboys.

“This weekend, though, I’ve just got to do my job for the team and hopefully we get the win,” Baira said.

“We just have to play the full game, the full 80 minutes, and not let them come back easy. Start of really good to try and make the big dance.”

Redcliffe Dolphins Colts coach Scott Murray said Baira’s experience across the grades, and the fact that he was full-time with the Dolphins NRL side, was invaluable.

 “He’s done really well across the grades, whether that be at fullback or on the wing,” Murray said.

“He set himself up, he has had a really good season with what he did in the full-time side of things.

“He’s obviously got electric speed and he's a prolific try-scorer. I definitely enjoy coaching Brenton. He’s really good.”

Murray said he would look to Baira to do what he had done all year in Redcliffe's preliminary final against Brisbane Tigers, expecting it to be a tough game.

“Getting his hands on the ball as much as possible… the more he can get involved in the game, the better it is for him, and of course for us…  just having that good involvement in the game… he's obviously dangerous the more he touches the ball, so that’s key for him,” Murray said.

“The Tigers have been one of the top teams all year with Tweed… in that top four pretty much all year. So, they've been very consistent in what they've been able to do and the way they play their game.

“We know that we're going to have to be at our best to get the result we want… we played them there earlier in the year down there at Easts and it was a really tough game. I think they ended up winning by six points. It was a really high quality Colts game. So we can expect the same thing.”

Murray said it would take a team effort but he was looking to his forwards to be strong through the middle, as they were against Burleigh.

Blackhawks coach Roy Baira said he was very proud of his nephew and he hoped to be playing against him in the grand final.

“He has been doing a very good job, as everyone can see,” Baira said.

“He has improved over the year and his confidence is high… he’s naturally confident… it’s just good to see him going well.

“Our job will have to be trying to take care of him if we both make the grand final. Redcliffe have a really good forward pack which gives him that space and time at the back.

“It would be good to see him next week in the final. We just have to try and get through this week.”

Baira said being his uncle gave him a little more insight into his game, but it didn’t give him the upper hand – unfortunately.

“He’s still got little tricks… my brother taught him well,” Baira said.

“My brother played for Canberra when he was young… he was a really good player. Brenton is definitely a lot faster than we were as players, but he definitely got his speed and his aggression from his dad.

“So we definitely have to watch out for him if we do play Redcliffe.”