He feared his career was over. A milestone has confirmed enforcer’s return

3 months ago 15

Thomas Flegler is poised to cast aside a tumultuous two years, with the Dolphins’ enforcer completing contact training and on track for a round one comeback.

The three-time Queensland Maroons forward was heralded as one of the biggest signings in the Redcliffe-based club’s short history, before suffering nerve damage in his shoulder four games after leaving the Brisbane Broncos – in his 100th first-grade appearance.

“A hundred on the dot, what a milestone that was,” Flegler said with a laugh.

Thomas Flegler is on track to return from a career-threatening shoulder injury in round one, 2026.

“I didn’t really know how to take it. It was a little bit hard coming to training and I guess I was kind of just waiting to get to this point.”

A year has passed since the 26-year-old underwent nerve transplant surgery in a last-ditch bid to save his rugby league career.

But the sight of him completing contact training on Monday morning would have brought a sigh of relief to coach Kristian Woolf, who immediately returned to the steer the ship after leading Tonga in the Pacific Championships.

“I think it’s been maybe 13 months since surgery, so we knew it was going to be a slow process. We just had to bite our tongue, come into training and get through that rehab,” Flegler said.

“Luckily things have turned out pretty well. I was trying to be fairly optimistic throughout all of it, but you’ve got to be realistic at the same time.

“It’s good to be back [doing contact], it’s been a while so it’s been good to get back in the groove of things and make a tackle again.

“It’s still 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.

“I still have a long way to go, but we’re making a start on it. We’ll be 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 we get to it.”

Daniel Saifiti (shoulder), Tom Gilbert and Max Plath (ACLs) are all eyeing off early-season returns.

They will be injected by English forward Morgan Knowles, who arrives from St Helens as Super League champion boasting seven Tests for England.

Throughout his rehabilitation, Flegler could be regularly seen running up and down the sidelines behind Kayo Stadium.

“I feel a little bit fitter, but it’s more so a mindset thing. When you’re running by yourself compared to when you’re running with 20 other blokes it’s a little bit more enjoyable, that’s for sure,” Flegler said.

“There are thoughts that always roll through your head, but we have a great medical staff here, we had a great surgery, and we’re just lucky things have turned out the way they have. There are people out there doing a lot worse than me.

“When you’re sitting on the sidelines, and you get around to finals time or Origin time, and you get to see what your mates are doing, getting to run out in front of a big crowd, those little moments still keep you hungry.”

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