Why Tom Flegler’s long-awaited NRL return is a gift and a curse for the Dolphins

One of the NRL’s toughest injury stories is coming to an end after luckless Dolphins prop Tom Flegler confirmed his goal of returning in round 1 next year, creating a logjam of forwards at Redcliffe.

Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf is facing a forwards logjam after ex-Kangaroos enforcer Tom Flegler declared he was on track for a round 1 NRL return following nearly two years on the sidelines.

Flegler commenced contact training this week as he progresses in his long and arduous comeback from a career-threatening shoulder injury.

The three-game Maroons Origin representative hasn’t played since round 5 of the 2024 season – his first year at Redcliffe – after suffering a rare nerve problem.

The former Broncos prop has been slowly working his way back to an NRL return and is confident he will get back on the field early next year.

“It’s good to be back, it’s been a while,” Flegler said.

Dolphins prop Thomas Flegler started contact training this week. Picture: Supplied/The Dolphins.

“It’s good to make a tackle again.

“It’s very low level at the moment. Since I’ve had the surgery we’ve ticked every box so far and things are coming along really well.

“We’ve still got a long way to go in the contact area but we’re making a start on it.

“I’ve got a long way to go, but I’m looking to make a play for round one.

“If that means getting a few trials in before that then we’ll do that, but we’ll cross that bridge when it comes.”

Flegler’s expected return is a huge boost for a Dolphins side that has missed one of its highest-paid players for the best part of two seasons.

But his availability is also set to cause some welcome headaches for Woolf.

The Dolphins have been quietly putting together a stacked forward pack since their NRL entry in 2023 and Woolf will have a hard time selecting a 17 with a fully fit squad.

Flegler and Super League import Morgan Knowles will essentially be new additions next season.

Veteran Felise Kaufusi has re-signed while Frank Molo proved to be a crucial recruit last year.

Ex-Blues prop Daniel Saifiti will return from a shoulder problem while Maroons hopeful Max Plath will be back on deck following a knee injury.

Captain Tom Gilbert must be selected and then there are proven performers Ray Stone and Kurt Donoghoe to go with rising forwards Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Connelly Lemuelu, Oryn Keeley and Seb Su’a.

Flegler’s last appearance on an NRL field was Round 5 of the 2024 season.

It is a good position for the Dolphins to be in, particularly with the club’s history of injuries, and Flegler said he was excited about the team’s pack prospects.

“If we get everyone on the field and stay healthy, we’ve got a great pack,” he said.

“We’ve got a long way to go, a lot of training to do.

“It’s all good saying it, but unless we do it, it’s irrelevant.”

Flegler admitted he had some dark thoughts during his lengthy stint out of the game.

But his progress has been positive and he is hoping to continue ticking boxes and increase his contact training in the coming months.

“I didn’t really know how to take it there, it was hard coming to training,” he said.

“I had the injury, waited and it’s been 13 months since surgery. We knew it was going to be a slow process.

“Luckily things have turned out pretty well and it’s looking pretty good at the moment.

“I was trying to be optimistic but you’ve got to be a bit realistic. There’s thoughts that always roll through your head.

“We’re lucky things turned out the way they have.

“It could be a lot worse. I’ve got an injury, it’s not a good injury but it’s not the worst either. There’s people out there doing a lot worse than me.

“I still get to wake up, come to training and be around the team every day. It’s good in that aspect.”