Two tenacious Toms will make long-awaited injury returns for the Dolphins in a huge boost to the club's desire to play NRL finals for the first time.
Prop Tom Flegler will play for the first time in 677 days in the trial against Gold Coast on Thursday night after a long and torturous recovery from nerve damage to his left shoulder.
Dolphins captain Tom Gilbert, who will run out alongside him, last played in round 11 of 2025 before undergoing surgery on a ruptured pectoral muscle and labrum tear.
That was after missing all of 2024 with a knee reconstruction and most of 2023 with a shoulder injury.
The two Queensland forwards have never played together at the Dolphins. The only time they have lined up in the same senior side was in game one of the 2023 State of Origin series for the Maroons.
Now they are both hoping to play many club games together, but first up it is about just getting back into the fray at Kayo Stadium.
"We obviously both haven't played a lot of footy for a while and sometimes trial matches are about getting out there and getting a feel," Gilbert told AAP.
"For both of us, any little taste of playing again is a really special moment and something that I don't take for granted. I am going to enjoy it."
Gilbert is also going to enjoy running out alongside firebrand Flegler, while not expecting miracles.
"There is no expectation on Tommy and the level he can get back to. We know he will get there eventually and we know it will take time," Gilbert said.
"It's not an easy thing what Tom has been through physically and mentally. We know once he comes out the other side of all the challenges... he will be that great footy player we know.
"We won't place pressure on him but we will support him and encourage him. There will be mistakes but (he) will be bounce back, go again and we will have one of the best props in the game playing for us."
Gilbert has been through his own challenges but said the 10 games he did play last year were a blessing.
"I was lucky last year that after my big layoff, I got back into the routine and grind," he said.
"I had a bit more of a feel for it and this pre-season I was able to do full training bar a couple of sessions. I feel more confident than I have in years both physically and mentally.
"I am recharged. I love footy. I didn't love it for a while but now I am excited for what the future holds."
Gilbert said this season he would line up in the middle and in the back-row.
"Each week I'll have different roles but I just want to play great footy and lead the team into a good season," he said.
