NRL 2024: Dolphins prop Tom Flegler is set to miss State of Origin series opener, joins growing Maroons casualty ward

Queensland coach Billy Slater is facing an injury crisis in his quest for a hat-trick of series wins, with Dolphins enforcer Tom Flegler the latest Maroons star to join a growing casualty ward.

Prop Thomas Flegler. Picture: NRL Images

Dolphins enforcer Tom Flegler has become the latest Maroons star racing the clock for the start of the Origin series as Queensland’s quest for a three-peat of victories copped another blow.

Flegler has been ruled out for at least another four weeks after sustaining a shoulder injury against the Tigers in round 5.

Initial reports suggested Flegler could return in as little as a week, however the former Broncos prop has yet to get back on the park.

An updated prognosis from the Dolphins this week said Flegler would be sidelined for another four weeks, but is unlikely to require surgery.

Queensland coach Billy Slater will convene with selectors on May 26 to pick a side for the Sydney series-opener on June 5.

That means Flegler may not play a game before the first team is selected and will be nearing two months on the sidelines, making him a risk for the high-intensity Origin arena.

Dolphins prop Tom Flegler is in serious doubt for Origin I. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The Maroons are already reeling from the loss of hard-edged forwards Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Tom Gilbert to season-ending knee injuries while Dally M Medal star Kalyn Ponga (foot) has been ruled out of the series.

The likes of Maroons players Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (hamstring), Murray Taulagi (hamstring) and Jai Arrow (shoulder) are also under injury clouds.

Flegler, 24, was considered a selection certainty and most likely a starting prop for the Maroons.

Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans said he was confident the Maroons had the depth to clinch a hat-trick of series wins this year despite the growing injury crisis.

“As a player you’re always aware of how other Origin players are going,” he said.

“I’ve always got an eye on the Queenslanders and how they’re playing, more from a friendship side of things. You want to see your friends playing well.

“We’ve got some losses there with injuries, but it gives an opportunity for the next person.

“Over the last few years the boys that have stood in have shown they’re more than capable of playing at Origin level.

“I’m sure Billy and the selectors will pick the right team this year and whoever gets a chance will be proud to play for Queensland and ready to do it again.”

Slater has had a dream start to his Origin coaching career, leading the Maroons to back-to-back series wins in his first two years in the role.

The Maroons wrapped up last year’s series with wins in the opening two games before missing a chance to secure a rare 3-0 clean sweep.

The Maroons have already lost enforcer Tino Fa'asuamaleaui. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

They are facing a tough task this year with the first two matches to be played in Sydney and Melbourne (June 26) before the last game in Brisbane (July 17) and Cherry-Evans said Queensland wouldn’t be complacent.

“I believe the drive is still there,” he said.

“It’s a pretty young group outside of Ben Hunt, Cam Munster and myself. I’d be very surprised if anyone walks in complacent.

“If you do that, there’s a fair chance you don’t even get picked. You need to be playing really good footy to be picked for Queensland.

“Once you’re there, I don’t believe Billy, his staff or the playing group have that mentality. I haven’t seen it and I’d be very surprised to see it this year.

“The desire to win has always been in this group and I’ve got no doubt it will be there again this year.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Dolphins prop Tom Flegler is set to miss State of Origin series opener, joins growing Maroons casualty ward