Former Maroons hard man Nate Myles has praised the persistence and perseverance of Queensland prop Tom Flegler, whose return to the Origin arena was something unthinkable only two years ago.
After suffering nerve damage in his shoulder in Round 5 of 2024, the Dolphins prop sat out the entire 2025 season, with mystery surrounding the full extent of the injury, let alone a return to play date.
However, he kept believing – and importantly, kept fit and training – and was able to return to the NRL in Round 1 this year, older, wiser and the epitome of resilience.
Only nine games into his return, Queensland coach Billy Slater had no hesitation in calling him up to add to his tally of three Maroons caps, after making his debut in 2021.
“He's definitely different from his first experience in Origin,” Myles said.
“I was fortunate enough to be a part of his first game and to see the transition now of someone who's had to go through some pretty dark days …
“A lot of people would have probably just thrown the towel in.
“I think that's one of Fleggy’s traits, right?
“He's pretty stubborn, but he's stubborn in a good way.
“He has a really dry sense of humour, incredibly funny, but resilient and hardworking, probably pays a little bit of homage to where he's from in Tully.
“There's a lot of people around that area that experience hard times and Flegg’s is playing footy or not playing footy … some people wouldn't think of that as being tough, but it's when it's something you love, it makes a big difference.
Thomas Flegler Try
“He's definitely putting value on his experience and that's brought maturing and an understanding of the fortunate position he's in.
“Maybe it didn't take a life lesson like that to bring out the best of him, maybe it was just a timing thing, but he's been the one that's handled it the best.
“He's just had his head down, bum up, and from all reports and I know talking to him over the last couple of years, he didn't reach out for anyone to get sympathy, he just reached out to communicate.
“We all reached out to pass our best on and let him know we'd do anything for him, but it's him.
“The Dolphins supported him, a lot of Queensland and the rest of the country supported him, but it was him that did it.
“It's an absolute pleasure to see him back in training and back in this arena.”
As he approaches the Game Three decider at Suncorp Stadium, Flegler was still staying in the moment, knowing there improvements to be made following Queensland’s dominant in at the MCG to force the decider.
“I wouldn't say it feels like home,” Flegler said if he felt comfortable being back in maroon.
“It's obviously a massive honour and privilege to put a Maroons jersey on … (but) it keeps you on your toes, you have got to be performing week-in, week-out.
“(But) it's great to be back in here.”
As well as performing for the home fans, with Queensland having dropped their past two games at Suncorp Stadium, Flegler said having former Maroons legends like team manager Myles and coach Slater in camp added extra motivation.
“Obviously for us in Queensland, we grew up watching State of Origin and players like JT [Johnathan Thurston] and Bill and Nate Myles,” Flegler said.
“Them just being around; they've been there. They're telling stories, they've been there and done it before, Nate Myles is the second most capped forward ever, not including hookers.
“I think he's played 32 Origins, he was a warrior and probably one of the greatest Maroons players of all time.
“So to have players like him and JT and Benny Te'o's in there too, they all played at the pinnacle of rugby league in their primes.
“There's nothing better than talking to someone who's been there and done it.
“They're all our heroes, so to one day be able to put that jersey on, you can't really describe how it feels.
“We always talk about what it means to the state of Queensland and how much passion they have for the jersey.
“For those before us and those watching the game, so we go out there and we do it for them.”
Don't miss a minute of the action when Queensland and NSW collide in an epic State of Origin decider. Live on Channel 9, 9Now and Watch NRL on Wednesday, July 8.
