Flegler’s Triumphant Return: A New Era of Rehabilitation for the Dolphins Star
After a gruelling 677-day layoff, Queensland Maroons enforcer Thomas Flegler has made a triumphant comeback to the NRL, declaring that regular rehabilitation will be a permanent fixture for the remainder of his career. The journey back to the field has been nothing short of harrowing for the former Maroons powerhouse. Just four games into his tenure with the Dolphins, Flegler suffered a devastating nerve injury to his shoulder, a setback that cast a dark cloud over his playing future. The uncertainty was so profound that he even underwent transplant surgery in a bid to cling to his dream of returning to the game.
However, on Thursday night, the familiar sight of Flegler charging onto the field at Kayo Stadium during the Dolphins’ second preseason trial against the Gold Coast Titans suggested that his time away had been but a fleeting moment. The 26-year-old delivered a performance that resonated with the Redcliffe faithful, despite the Dolphins ultimately falling short with a 24-12 defeat. In his 20-minute stint, Flegler showcased his enduring talent, amassing 62 running metres, breaking four tackles, offloading once, and making a perfect 10 tackles, including a bone-jarring hit that forced a dropout.
The highlight of his return was undoubtedly his try. Bursting onto a short ball from dummy half close to the try line, Flegler crossed for his first try since March 10, 2024. This moment served as the perfect punctuation mark on a performance that he hopes signals the beginning of his sustained comeback.
“Hopefully, I punch out a few more minutes next week. I think Woolfy [coach Kristian Woolf] has got a bit of a plan there… and aim towards round one,” Flegler stated, looking ahead to the upcoming season. “Being out for so long, it’s going to take a few games to get my confidence back and get my game fitness back, but everything is building nicely.”
While Flegler harbours ambitions of regaining his Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos jerseys, he acknowledged the reality of his injury. He confirmed that ongoing management of his shoulder is a non-negotiable aspect of his career moving forward.
“I guess after an injury like this, you’ve sort of got to do a bit of rehab for the rest of your career; it’s just something that happens. But as far as the injury goes, we’ve had a really good recovery and are happy with how it all is,” Flegler explained. “I just have to be a bit cautious in and around the gym, maybe a few extras here and there. That [representative football] is obviously where I’d like to get to in the long run, but short term, it’s just about getting back on the field, building more minutes, and playing some good footy for the Dolphins.”
Gilbert and Cobbo: More Comebacks and Transformations
Flegler’s much-anticipated return was not the only significant comeback witnessed on Thursday night. Dolphins captain Tom Gilbert also made his return, lining up in the front row after recovering from a ruptured pectoral muscle that prematurely ended his 2025 campaign in round 11. This latest setback followed a string of injuries for Gilbert, including a ruptured ACL in 2024 and a dislocated shoulder in 2023, which have limited him to just 21 NRL appearances in his three seasons with the Redcliffe club.
Gilbert indicated that he is likely to feature in next week’s trial match against the New Zealand Warriors, potentially sharing the field once again with star recruit Selwyn Cobbo. The former Brisbane Broncos flyer has undergone a notable physical transformation, shedding a significant amount of weight in a concerted effort to reignite his career. While Cobbo has long been recognised as a player with immense talent, he has faced criticism for his inability to consistently display that talent throughout an entire season.
On Thursday night, Cobbo’s impact was evident despite limited opportunities. Restricted to just seven touches, he made them count in the centres, accumulating 71 metres and breaking four tackles. His strong carries often saw him dragging multiple defenders with him, a testament to his renewed determination.
“He was awesome; he’s had a great preseason. The big thing was he got fitter and lost a bit of weight, but his application to his footy has been tremendous,” Gilbert commented on Cobbo’s performance. “I think it paid off tonight when it was time for him to have a touch or get his hands dirty; he did a really good job of it.”
Gilbert added, “I think it [the weight loss] is an ongoing little battle, but it’s impressive to see his work ethic, and he’s taking footy really seriously.”
The dual comebacks of Flegler and Gilbert, coupled with Cobbo’s focused transformation, inject a palpable sense of optimism and renewed energy into the Dolphins camp as they gear up for the upcoming NRL season. The focus now shifts to building on these positive signs and ensuring these key players remain on the field and at the top of their game.
