He enjoyed a long career in Sydney rugby, captained one of the world’s most famous club sides and represented NSW Country Eagles in the National Rugby Championship.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But there’s still a couple of things Mark Baldwin hasn’t achieved.
“I’ve never played bush footy before,” he said.
The highly rated Baldwin, who captained Randwick for a number of seasons, got a job in Dubbo last year and moved west and has linked up with the Dubbo Kangaroos for the 2018 Blowes Clothing Cup season.
A former Australian under 20s representative and someone who won a string of man-of-the-match awards for his performance at flanker for NSW Country, Baldwin is keen to be a part of a closeknit and proud club.
“It will definitely be exciting, a bit different and a new challenge,” the 24-year-old said.
“The thing I’m most looking forward to is being part of a community.
“Sydney is a big place and you can get lost in the big smoke but out here everyone knows everyone and I think it will be good to meet a lot of people and get ingrained in the community.”
And the other which Baldwin hasn’t done?
I’ve never played bush footy before so it will definitely be exciting.
- Mark Baldwin
“I was never fortunate enough at Randwick to play in a grand final, let alone win one,” he said.
“So to do that out here would be pretty exciting and I’d love to do it.
“The boys are keen to do well but you have to do the little things right early on in the season before you look too far ahead.”
Another thing which attracted Baldwin to the Roos was the presence of Beau Robinson.
The former Super Rugby star and one-time Wallaby has returned home and taken on a coaching coordinator role at the Roos.
Baldwin and Robinson played together in the National Rugby Championship.
“A lot of what Beau is introducing is things we have done before and it’s nice that he’s introducing something I’ve played before and I’m able to help pass it on where I can,” Baldwin said.
“I know what’s happening a little bit and I think he will make me a better player. He’s played at a higher level than I’ve ever played and I’ll learn a thing or two.”
While Baldwin is hoping to become a better player, Robinson knows he’s already got a talented figure on his hands.
The forward pack was one of the Roos’ strengths during the side’s run to the semi-finals last season and Baldwin’s addition makes it even stronger.
“It’s unreal to get him out her because he’s a class, quality player,” Robinson said.
“In some other countries he’d be knocking on the door and be in and around a Super Rugby franchise but unfortunately for him, in Australia the number seven is probably the only position where we have plenty of depth.
“He’s played with the NSW Country Eagles and more than holds his own there. He’s a real leader.”
The Roos will ramp up their pre-season work on March 17 when they take on Mudgee Wombats in a trial.