The Broncos may have been given an answer to the massive question about how to replace Payne Haas after a stunning comeback game for Thomas Flegler on Thursday night. Playing his first match in 677 days after a serious shoulder injury left his NRL career hanging in the balance, Flegler was immense off the bench for the Dolphins in their pre-season loss to the Gold Coast.
Kristian Woolf’s men went down 24-12 in their first trial game ahead of the new season, having trailed by 10-0 at the break against a resolute Titans side under new coach Josh Hannay. But the introduction of Flegler in the second half swung the match back in the home side’s favour as the towering prop stamped his claims for a spot in the Dolphins’ squad for their NRL season opener against Souths on March 8.
Fans are calling on Broncos coach Michael Maguire (L) to bring Thomas Flegler (R) back to Brisbane as an eventual replacement for Souths-bound superstar, Payne Haas. Pic: Getty/Fox League
The former Brisbane, Origin and Test star hadn’t played since suffering nerve damage in his shoulder during his 100th NRL appearance in round five, 2024. Flegler underwent successful nerve transplant surgery and suffered a number of setbacks in his long road to recovery, but after almost two years out of the game, he gave fans a stunning reminder of his class at Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium.
Flegler got the home side back in the match after barging over the tryline at close range to make it a fairytale comeback. And his eye-catching 20-minute cameo also included four tackle busts, an offload, eight hit-ups for 62 metres and a perfect eight from eight tackles.
The 26-year-old helped turn a 10-point deficit into a two-point lead for the Dolphins after Zac Garton added their second try moments later. But after Flegler was given an early breather, the Titans piled on three more tries through Dean Ieremia, Phoenix Steinwede and Kurtis Morrin to romp away with a comfortable win.
Flegler only played four games in 2024 before suffering his career-threatening injury. It came after a Test debut for Australia in 2023, with the rampaging middle forward also playing three Origin games for Queensland. And Flegler is in no doubt he can return to the rep arena in the future.
“Definitely, that is where I would like to get to in the long run,” he said. “Short term it is just about building my minutes and playing some good footy for the Dolphins.
“After an injury like this you have got to do a bit of rehab throughout the rest of your career… Being out for so long it is going to take a few games to get my confidence and game fitness back but everything is building nicely at the moment.”
Dolphins prop Thomas Flegler made a fairtyale comeback in the pre-season clash with the Titans after 677 days out of the NRL due to a serious shoulder injury. Pic: Getty
(Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images)Calls for Thomas Flegler to replace Payne Haas at Broncos
Flegler started his career at the Broncos in 2019 before following master coach Wayne Bennett to the Dolphins in 2024. And fans are already calling on Brisbane to bring the gun prop home when his current deal runs out after the 2027 season.
The Broncos will lose Haas at the end of 2026 after the superstar prop signed a three-year deal to reunite with Bennett at Souths from next season. And Flegler would be a popular replacement if he continues to build on what was a superb comeback game on Thursday night.
with AAP