Future Fuller for Dolphins whiz after inspiring return
Joel Gould |
Dolphins pocket rocket Trai Fuller is too good to not play regularly in the NRL but for now he’s willing to assert his burgeoning credentials until the backline gets back to full strength.
Where he fits into the side long-term is the issue that will decide his playing future.
The 28-year-old had one of his best games in his short top-grade career in the 36-30 win over Gold Coast on Sunday that kept the Dolphins’ finals hopes alive.
Fuller, who has played 15 NRL games in three seasons, is contracted to the Dolphins for next year but his chances of playing week-to-week have been governed by injury.
After returning to action late in the season from an ACL injury sustained last year in the Queensland Cup, the Indigenous dynamo got his chance in the top squad in round 24 when star centre Herbie Farnworth went down with a hamstring tear and regular No.1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow switched to left centre.
Fuller has come into the side at fullback and had three strong games but when Farnworth returns the Dolphins will be moving Test and Queensland star Tabuai-Fidow back to No.1.
His management has good relations with the Dolphins and the club has been open with them about viewing Fuller as a fullback.
He is able to negotiate with other clubs from November 1 for the 2027 season. Staying at the Dolphins is his preference but a regular fullback gig is only likely at other NRL clubs or in the Super League.
An opening at Cronulla has been investigated by Fuller’s manager with Will Kennedy yet to re-sign but he is expected to do so in the near future.
Fuller said he was not looking too far ahead after his try, six tackle busts, three line breaks and two try assists against the Titans.
“I am still signed here for next year. That’s all I am worried about at the moment, playing at the Dolphins,” Fuller said.
“Obviously this is Hammer’s (fullback) spot at the moment.
“We are a bit short on numbers in our outside backs at the moment with Herbie going down. Hopefully I can keep playing good footy.”
Fuller could play other outside back positions at a pinch, but the Dolphins are well stocked in that area. He said he was just happy to be back to his best after a serious knee injury.
“It is a while since I’ve been able to put three games together in a row. To play like that (against the Titans), I was pretty happy,” he said.
“It has been a tough one. It was my first big injury and it took a while for me to get my confidence back.
“I feel like I am back up at top speed now. I was limping on it when I first came back but now it is sorted and I am not worried about it.”
The ninth-placed Dolphins play Canberra at Redcliffe on Sunday and need South Sydney to beat the Sydney Roosters on Friday night to keep their hopes of a maiden semi-finals berth alive.
“We are hanging in there and hoping,” Fuller said.
AAP
