Flegler targets Round 1 return after major recovery milestone

Dolphins forward Thomas Flegler aims for a return in Round 1 following a significant milestone in his recovery from a shoulder injury that has kept him off the field for over a year.

The representative prop last participated in an NRL match during Round 5 of 2024, where he sustained nerve damage in his shoulder due to a tackle in a game against the Wests Tigers.

His journey since then has involved months of uncertainty, extensive rehabilitation, and a successful nerve transplant surgery. However, he has recently been cleared for contact, marking a crucial phase in his recovery as he resumes pre-season training.

As a key acquisition for the Dolphins after transferring from the nearby Brisbane Broncos, Flegler only managed to play four matches before the unfortunate injury left him without a definitive timeline for his return.