Dolphins boss Terry Reader has provided a positive update on the future of Tom Flegler, but concedes the prop is “not out of the woods yet” when it comes to his return.
Flegler hasn’t played since the early rounds of 2024 due to a nerve injury, with fears over whether he would take the field in the NRL again.
His absence left a gaping hole in the Dolphins’ engine room which has been filled by the likes of Francis Molo and Daniel Saifiti – as well as some unheralded young forwards – but the club may be in line for a boost heading into 2026.
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Tom Flegler Dolphins
The 26-year-old has now ramped up his training in a bid to play at the start of next year, almost two years on from the initial injury.
“It’s good to be back,” Flegler told media this week at pre-season training.
“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.
“[I have] still got a long way to go on the contact area, but we’re making a start on it.”
Speaking on 4BC Breakfast on Wednesday morning, chief executive Reader confirmed that Flegler would begin “proper” contact training in the new year – but there’s still a while to go before he is able to run out onto Suncorp Stadium in a first grade fixture.
“It is good news with Flegs,” he said.
“Obviously when we did buy him, he was playing Origin and for Australia. After four games, he got that really rare nerve injury and it’s been two years for him.
Tom Flegler Getty
“He’s back on, things have progressed and he’s allowed to do a bit of proper contact after Christmas.
“Things are looking good, but as you would have heard from his mouth as well, we’re still not out of the woods yet.
“We’re getting closer … fingers crossed he will be ready to go to begin the season.”Â
Flegler was one of the game’s most feared front-rowers before suffering the injury and joined the Dolphins fresh off a breakout season with the Broncos.
He featured in Brisbane’s heartbreaking grand final loss to Penrith in 2023 and in the same year, played for Queensland and made his debut for the Kangaroos.
The big bopper isn’t the only interesting watch for the Dolphins next year either.
Karl Oloapu – the former teenage prodigy who signed a big deal with the Bulldogs before going through his own injury struggles – is on the books with the Dolphins for 2026.
The young playmaker had the world at his feet at Canterbury, but was granted a release earlier this year and returned home to Queensland.
The 20-year-old played a handful of reserve grade games for the Dolphins and if he manages to impress early next season, could find his way into the NRL squad.
The former Australian Schoolboys captain played seven first grade games for the Dogs during his stint at Belmore.