Flegler returned to the playing arena on Thursday night in a 24-12 trial loss to Gold Coast after a 677-day layoff following a shoulder nerve injury. It was one of the most anticipated comebacks in rugby league this century
The 26-year-old blitzed it. His eight runs for 62m, rampaging try and 10 tackles with none missed only told part of a wonderful story in a 20-minute stint after halftime. It was the verve and energy he played with that caught the eye just as much.
Flegler only played four games in 2024 before injuring his left shoulder and having delicate surgery. Rehab of all descriptions has been his life ever since.
The year before in 2023 he made his Test debut for Australia after earlier representing Queensland in three State of Origin matches.
While attention to detail with his training and preparation in future will be paramount, Flegler has no doubts he can become a rep footballer again.
"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.
"It is just something that happens but as far as the injury goes we have had a really good recovery and are happy with how it all is.
"I just have to be a bit cautious around the gym and do a few extras here and there.
"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."
Flegler said he "definitely had a few nerves" and was talking to himself before he ran on, with a simple piece of advice.
"I was saying, 'don't drop the ball whatever you do'," he grinned.
Far from dropping it, Flegler was pulled up an inch short with an early run and then scored minutes later with deft late feet on the tryline. He scored a similar try for Brisbane in the 2023 grand final.
To play so well in his first game back was the initial aim but firing in round one of the NRL against South Sydney on March 8 is the main goal.
"It was a sigh of relief," Flegler said
"There have been so many box ticks along the way. This is the second last one. The last one will be an actual competition game. So we are almost there.
"I'd been out of the game for so long I was eager to get out there, do my 20 minutes and get off the field.
"It's good to finally get back. It has been a long time coming.
"I'm just happy to finish the game unscathed.
"Hopefully I will punch out a few more minutes next week and head towards round one."
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