Dolphins star Tom Flegler opens up on NRL future after ‘last resort’ surgery

Speaking for the first time since undergoing ‘last resort’ nerve-transfer surgery, former Maroons Origin star Tom Flegler insists his career isn’t over and has hinted at his NRL return date.

Luckless Queensland Origin star Tom Flegler insists his career isn’t over and has declared he will play NRL again at the Dolphins – possibly as early as this season.

Speaking for the first time since “last resort” nerve-transfer surgery last September, former Broncos enforcer Flegler has given the strongest indication yet he will fight back from a career-threatening shoulder injury.

Flegler is rugby league’s forgotten man. It’s been 347 days since the Dolphins prop has been seen in the NRL following a freak shoulder injury that has left his career in limbo.

Flegler was trumpeted as the Dolphins’ marquee signing last year after Redcliffe’s $3 million poaching raid on a generational front-rower their derby rivals the Broncos never wanted to lose.

But after missing the Battle of Brisbane following a seemingly innocuous knock to his shoulder against the Wests Tigers on April 6 last year, Flegler has disappeared from the NRL.

Tom Flegler insists his career isn’t over and has declared he will play NRL again at the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Images

The 25-year-old’s injury had Dolphins medicos perplexed and he underwent nerve-transfer surgery last September in a last-ditch bid to return Flegler’s shoulder to the point where he can play NRL again.

The Dolphins have taken a cautious approach – mindful another major blow could end his career – but Flegler is adamant the injury will not force him into retirement.

Rated one of the NRL’s finest front-row talents, Flegler is eyeing a return to the NRL in 2026 and hasn’t ruled out turning out for the Dolphins later this season.

“I’m confident I will come back,” Flegler said on the Inside Ball podcast with Ben Dobbin and his former Broncos coach Kevin Walters.

“I will be back next year, I could be back this year, I don’t know.

“I’m taking it month by month at the moment.

“I will definitely come back, but it is worrying.

“When you do an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) or have a shoulder reco, you know it’s either six or nine months (recovery), give or take a month here and there.

“You can see a progression the whole way, but with nerve damage, the progression is minimal, it’s very slow.”

Flegler saw the first ray of hope last month, with specialists confirming his shoulder is showing signs of recovery in a critical first “checkpoint” to getting back on the field for the Dolphins.

It’s been almost a year since Flegler played in the NRL after a seemingly innocuous shoulder injury. Picture: NRL Imagery

The 2023 grand-final prop is taking inspiration from Panthers premiership enforcer Moses Leota, who remains one of the code’s premier front-rowers despite suffering nerve damage.

“The only guy with a similar injury is Moses Leota, he wears a big pad on one of his shoulders,” Flegler said.

“It (his nerve) has started to take, it’s started to heal.

“Everything is unknown to the point where I don’t know exactly when I’m going to be back.

“I waited five months from when I had the injury (before undergoing nerve-transfer surgery).

“Once you get a nerve transplant that’s a last resort.

“Sometimes the nerve can come back naturally, we tried that but it didn’t unfortunately, so I had a nerve transplant.

“They went down to my tricep, pulled the nerve up to my deltoid and sewed it together and we had to wait for it to heal.

“I do have strength (in his shoulder). It is getting there. It is starting to improve, but it is very small steps.

“If you saw me train, you would have no idea I’m injured.”

Penrith Panthers’ Moses Leota remains one of the code’s best front-rowers, despite suffering nerve damage. Picture: NRL Imagery

Initially bitterly disappointed, Flegler is pragmatic about his situation. He has come to terms with the fact he may not play again and if that’s the case, the Dolphins front-rower is protected financially.

The Junior Kangaroos star would be entitled to a full payout of his $3m Dolphins contract, which would be exempt under NRL salary-cap rules if Flegler is forced into a medical retirement.

But Flegler, who has played 100 NRL games since his 2019 debut, is gradually inching towards a triumphant return, even if he admits he has struggled mentally.

“I will probably kill someone at training soon,” he said with a laugh.

“For a fullback, they aren’t after contact, but for us props, we are contactors, we want those collisions.

“I’ve learnt to deal with it now but sometimes I don’t watch a game. Especially if we (the Dolphins) are going through a tough time or losing, I just turn the TV off because I am that angry, I want to throw the remote at the TV.

“We’re in it for the collisions. If it was touch footy we wouldn’t play.

“Hopefully I’m back soon.”

LISTEN TO THE FULL TOM FLEGLER INTERVIEW HERE.

Originally published as Dolphins star Tom Flegler opens up on NRL future after ‘last resort’ surgery