Fuller graduates to Dolphins’ NRL squad

Published 9:33am 31 August 2022

Words by Kylie Knight

Queensland Cup star Trai Fuller has the chance to fulfill a dream after signing a train and trial agreement with the Dolphins’ NRL team.

Fuller will be part of the Dolphins’ squad for the entire 2023 season after signing the deal that is a reward for his scintillating form in the Hostplus Cup.

He has been a huge part of the Redcliffe Dolphins’ late-season march to the finals, that included a 12-match unbeaten streak.

The speedy fullback has scored 15 tries in 17 matches in 2022, produced 10 try assists and 13 linebreaks, and averaged more than 150 running metres per game.

Impressively, he has scored three tries in a match on three separate occasions this year alone.

The 25-year-old was born in Monto and grew up within the Dolphins’ catchment in the North Burnett region at Eidsvold, west of Bundaberg.

He went to school in Central Queensland at St Brendan’s Yeppoon before becoming part of the Broncos’ under-20s squad.

In 2018 he made his State League debut with Redcliffe and has improved every year to now find himself with a shot at impressing in the NRL system.

Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader says Fuller’s background as a young player from southern Queensland is a perfect case of what the Dolphins are trying to do as the club extends into the NRL competition.

“The Dolphins are very excited to be giving Trai an opportunity to train full time with our NRL squad in November,” Reader says.

“He is an example of the kind of player we are trying to open up pathways for – a young man from the North Burnett region who has moved to Brisbane and been given a chance to play at Hostplus Cup level for the Dolphins.

“Now he will get the chance to learn from a great coach in Wayne Bennett and train alongside some of the best professionals in the game.

“We are eager to see what Trai can develop into after soaking up the full-time atmosphere through the pre-season.”

TRAI FULLER

Born: 8 April, 1997 (Monto, Qld)

Height: 170cm

Weight: 77kg

Hostplus Cup Games: 62 (35 tries)

Previous clubs: Broncos

Current Club: Redcliffe Dolphins