Dolphins forward Thomas Flegler is targeting a Round 1 return after achieving a major milestone in his recovery from a shoulder injury that has kept him out of the game for 18 months.
The representative prop last played NRL in Round 5 of 2024 where he suffered nerve damage in his shoulder after making a tackle in the match against Wests Tigers.
What has followed has been months of uncertainty, plenty of rehab and successful nerve transplant surgery, with his return to pre-season training heralding a key point in his recovery after being cleared for contact.
“It's good to be back,” Flegler said on Monday.
“It's been a while, so it's good to go and get back into 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, so still got a long way to go on the contact area, but we're making a start on it.”
A major signing for the Dolphins after coming over from crosstown rivals Brisbane Broncos, Flegler was only able to play four games before the unusual injury left him sidelined with no clear return date in sight.
However, Flegler remained determined to return to the field and committed to training, keeping up his fitness in the hope of getting the green light to return.
“I think I was trying to be fairly optimistic throughout all of it, but you've got to be a little bit realistic at the same time, so there are thoughts that always roll through your head," he said.
"But we've got great medical staff here, we had a great surgery, and we're just lucky that things have turned out the way they have.
“It's a great feeling.
“I think the best thing is I get to come back in and train with the team instead of training by myself, so, it's good to get in around the boys and we've got the majority of the squad back at the moment too.
“It was a bit hard coming to training and I guess I was kind of just waiting to get to this point in time and... there's a bit of light at the end of the tunnel now that I've started contact.
“The club's been outstanding from a medical point of view and the support as well, obviously I signed from Broncos over here and unfortunately had this injury, which is not what anyone wants, the player doesn't want it, it's not good for the club either …
“I can't thank them enough for how they've treated me and what they've been like with me and fingers crossed, I can get back on the field and play some good footy and that's the only way I'm going to be able to repay them.
“We've still got a long way to go, but looking to make a play for Round 1, so 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.”
Match: Dolphins v Rabbitohs
Round 1 -
home Team
Dolphins
away Team
Rabbitohs
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
