Reece Walsh has joined NRL fans and players in celebrating the news that Thomas Flegler is on track to return for the Dolphins in Round 1 next year. Flegler’s career was derailed last year when he suffered nerve damage in his shoulder.
The 26-year-old hasn’t played since Round 5 of 2024, and it will be nearly two years out by the time he returns in 2026. The front-rower played 96 games for the Brisbane Broncos from 2019 to 2023, and scored a try in the 2023 grand final loss to the Panthers.
Reece Walsh is among the many delighted to see Thomas Flegler back. Image: AAP/Getty
He also played three State of Origin games for Queensland and a Test for Australia before making the switch to the Dolphins, but only played four games in 2024 before the injury. There were some doubts about whether Flegler would ever get back, and he had to undergo nerve transfer surgery.
But Flegler and the Dolphins revealed on Monday that he’s tracking towards a return in Round 1 next year. The 26-year-old trained strongly with the Dolphins squad on Monday, and even did some contact work. The club has revealed Flegler is slated for full contact work after the Christmas break.
Thomas Flegler (far left) was playing State of Origin for Queensland before his injury. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“I still have a long way to go but I am looking to make a play for Round 1,” Flegler told reporters on Monday. “If that means getting a few trials in before that, then we will. It’s good to get back into the groove of things and make a tackle again. It’s still very low level at the moment but since the surgery we have ticked every box.
“Things are coming along really well. We still have a long way to go in the contact area but we are making a start on it. There is light at the end of the tunnel now that I have started contact. It’s a great feeling. The best thing is to come back and train with the team rather than training by myself.”
NRL world delighted by news about Thomas Flegler
Flegler said he never gave up hope of making a return, even when reports emerged he might have to retire. “Probably thinking about when I am going to play next. When you are sitting on the sideline and you get to Origin and finals time you see your mates running out in front of a big crowd,” he said about his motivation to get back.
“Those moments keep you hungry and then you train extra harder to hopefully get back to that position. I think it has been 13 months since surgery. We knew it was going to be a slow process and we had to bide our time and get through rehab. Luckily things have turned out pretty well and it is looking good.
“The club has been outstanding from a medical point of view and with its support. It is not what anyone wants but I can’t thank them enough for how they treated me. Fingers crossed I can get back out on the field and play some good footy. That’s the only way I am going to be able to repay them.”
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Fans and fellow players were rapt to see Flegler back training on Monday. A former teammate with the Broncos and Maroons, Walsh commented on an Instagram post from the Dolphins with some fire and clapping emojis.
Isaiya Katoa, Josh Kerr and Herbie Farnworth were among the many others to celebrate the news. One person wrote online: “So good to see! Tom, wishing you all the best and look forward to seeing you playing again next season.”