Dolphins pocket rocket Trai Fuller is celebrating this week after signing a one-year extension and getting picked to play NRL.
A fan favourite in the peninsular, Fuller got his opportunity to debut in the NRL with the Dolphins in 2023 after consistently putting in eye-catching performances for affiliate club Redcliffe in the Queensland Cup.
However, since that time, he has had limited opportunities to step up into the top level, with Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf saying from the outset that Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was the first choice fullback.
But with his priorities focused on the home front, although tempted, Fuller said he was comfortable in turning down potentially more dollars and opportunities at other NRL and Super League clubs, non-fussed on being seen a ‘second fiddle’.
“I've got a missus that's due next month, so (it is good) just to stick around until she's had the baby and just until that stage is over, the baby stage,” Fuller said.
“I've been here (at Redcliffe) for a fair bit now, so it was always going to be pretty hard to leave, so to be able to stick around for another year, I'm just happy with that … it's given me a lot.
“It's good just to know what I'm doing for the next year so I can really focus on my footy and just excited to be around the boys for another year.
“(Woolf) has always been pretty transparent with me, he lets me know what my job is and he always said he doesn't want me to leave here, that I've always got a place here so I was happy to stay.
“You'd like to (start), but I'm just happy with (being a back-up for Tabuai-Fidow) at the moment.”
For coach Woolf, while he wanted to give him more opportunities to play NRL – like playing him at centre earlier this season – he was happy to have Fuller on board for another season at least.
“I think he's happy being here to be honest and this is where he wants to be,” Woolf said.
“I remember he came through our Queensland Cup side, so that's where he got his opportunities.
“He's played over 100 games for them now and I think he's very happy going back there and playing …
“He's made it clear he'd certainly prefer to be playing NRL and he wants more opportunities and he'll keep getting more opportunities and you never know when those things turn up.
“Last year, the year before, probably come at some surprise times for him at different times as well, so he's just got to keep his hunger, keep his approach that he's got at the moment, he'll get his opportunities and that's what he gets this week.”
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Fuller is getting his chance to play in their Round 15 match against the Roosters, with Tabuai-Fidow one of five Dolphins in the Queensland Origin team. Halfback Isaiya Katoa was released for Blues camp on Wednesday after acting as cover for Mitchell Moses.
The Roosters will be without six players who are also in both NSW and Maroons camp.
However, with despite the players out, the Indigenous All Stars representative and proud Wulli Wulli man was looking forward to the chance to continue his side’s recent run of good form.
“Excited (to be playing), especially when the boys have been going well,’ Fuller said.
“This is just a chance for all us fellas stepping in to put in for the boys and try and continue what they've been doing, so it's exciting.”
Match: Dolphins v Roosters
Round 15 -
home Team
Dolphins
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
3rd Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
