Broncos lose another NRL star as Flegler signs for Dolphins

Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins have continued to raid the first-grade stocks of the Brisbane Broncos by signing young Origin forward Thomas Flegler.

The news could not come at a worse time for the Broncos, who lost English star Herbie Farnworth last week.

Flegler has been at the centre of free agency discussions since November 1, when he became eligible to speak with rival clubs. The Dolphins have not been the only side with their eyes on Flegler, with the Manly Sea Eagles, Sydney Roosters, Gold Coast Titans and New Zealand Warriors all showing interest.

Flegler has signed with the Dolphins from the 2024 season through to 2027, the same length deal as current Broncos teammate Farnworth. The news of his signing comes with rumours that Flegler may have sacrificed hundreds of thousands of dollars in order to join the Redcliffe team.

Flegler had the best season of his career statistically in 2022, recording more tackle breaks, post-contact metres and total running metres than any of his previous seasons in the NRL.

Flegler has made a name for himself in recent years as a firebrand, ‘red-lining’ forward. His style of play has seen him spend many weeks on the sideline for disciplinary reasons, something new coach Bennett has made a career of correcting.

Flegler’s darkest moments came on the field in round four of the 2022 regular season against the Warriors in Redcliffe when he was placed on report four times with one incident resulting in a sin bin. That game alone cost Flegler two weeks on the sidelines and a $2,000 fine.

Flegler’s issues are not isolated to the playing field. During Mad Monday celebrations in 2021, Flegler and fellow forward Jordan Riki were involved in an incident that left the two ‘bloodied’ and was later described as ‘silly’.

Flegler made his State of Origin debut for Queensland in game three of the 2021 series at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, where the Maroons avoided a humiliating 3-0 series defeat. Flegler took no part in the 2022 Origin series, despite being a part of the Maroons squad.

Flegler appears to be part of the Dolphins’ long-term plans to replace the likes of Jesse Bromwich – as is Tom Gilbert, a young forward signed from the Cowboys for the club’s maiden season in the NRL.

Flegler was a part of the 2019 Broncos squad that was labelled one of the most talented forward packs the club had seen. He was joined by Jaydn Su’A, Tevita Pangai Junior, Joe Ofahengaue, Matthew Lodge, Payne Haas, David Fifita and Patrick Carrigan, with all bar two of those players going on to represent their state at Origin level.

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