Dolphins prop Thomas Flegler’s career in doubt amid forced retirement fears at 25

One of the biggest signings of the 2025 season has turned into a nightmare with an Origin and Kangaroos star facing being forced into retirement.

Queensland Origin prop Thomas Flegler will reportedly undergo nerve-transfer surgery and face a year on the sidelines in a desperate bid to avoid being forced into retirement at the age of 25.

The ex-Broncos prop was one of the big signings of the off-season when he moved from Red Hill to Redcliffe.

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A former Broncos rookie of the year, Flegler was hitting his straps when he transferred across town under Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett.

On top of a playing for Queensland in Game 2 and 3 of the Maroon’s victorious 2023 Origin series, Flegler also earned his first Kangaroos jersey in the end of season Pacific Championship.

But while Flegler impressed for the Dolphins in the opening round, his fourth game for the club — and 100th overall in the NRL — ended in disaster when he left the field early after a relatively innocuous tackle in the 26-16 win over the Wests Tigers in round 4.

The match was carnage for the Dolphins, who lost Flegler and Herbie Farnworth to AC joint shoulder injuries, while Felise Kaufusi pulled up lame with a hamstring strain.

Cameras caught Bennett in the changerooms after the match cut a despondent figure as he sat by himself.

Wayne was gutted at the time. Photo: Fox Sports

It didn't look that bad at first. Photo: Fox Sports

In the press conference after the match, Bennett didn’t want to speak too much about the injuries before the players had had scans.

When Bennett confirmed it was an AC joint injury for Flegler, a reporter said: “That must be a relief, but there’s a little concern that there might have been something worse than that.”

Bennett replied: “Well AC joints can be pretty bad if you’ve got a good one. I think he’s got a good one. Sometimes they have to operate on them so we will just see.”

However, when asked if the trio had any chance of making the round 5 clash with the Broncos, Bennett said: “Kaufusi’s not. Flegler is. I don’t Herbie is. OK, thanks.”

But while the other stars have returned, Flegler’s injury has been career-threatening with The Courier Mail reporting Flegler will have to go under the knife.

The report says that the Dolphins had hoped the nerve damage would resolve itself with rest but it has not happened.

Flegler underwent a procedure six week ago, which showed the nerve was not completely dead, but specialists have since advised surgery, which could sideline Flegler for six to 12 months.

It means if the surgery is successful, Flegler could return early next season, or he could miss the 2025 season. If it’s unsuccessful, Flegler’s career could well be over at the age of 25.

Bennett confirmed Flegler would go under the knife.

“Tom will be having surgery,” he said. “The nerve hasn’t come good so he needs an operation.

“The doctors are confident it can help him, they wouldn’t be doing it if they didn’t think it would help, but it’s going to be a long process and we have to wait and see how it all goes.

“We brought him here for that reason to be one of our forward leaders.

“It’s been tough for Tom … I’m not sure when he will come back.”

We’re all hoping for the best-case scenario. Picture: NRL Images

The Courier Mail reported that Flegler had privately spoken to confidants about the face he may not make it back onto the field, but if that does eventuate and he was forced to medically retire, Flegler would be paid out the remainder of his four-year $3m deal that would be exempt from the salary cap.

Dolphins high performance boss Jeremy Hickmans said the club was well aware of what was at stake.

“The worst-case scenario is he won’t play again,” Dolphins high-performance boss Jeremy Hickmans said in July.

“That’s a remote possibility so we can’t beat about the bush, but the hope is that ‘Fleg’ should be OK.

“We’ve seen pretty good outcomes with nerve-transfer operations, but every case is individual.”

The report added that Flegler had still been able to run freely and complete gym sessions, even bench pressing 140kg.

Originally published as Dolphins prop Thomas Flegler’s career in doubt amid forced retirement fears at 25