Plath’s vow to return better than ever

In an ominous sign for his opponents, Dolphins NRL rising star Max Plath has vowed to come back from a season-ending knee injury a better player in 2026. And he knows he will need to be at his best to make the starting side.

The 24-year-old lock, who was the Dolphins’ Player of the Year in 2024 and took that form into the start of 2025, is on track for a return to the playing field after suffering an ACL injury in June 2025.

“It (my return) is round three or four I think. That’s when the nine months ticks over. I’ll have to play (Queensland) Cup first and get into the side somehow,” he said today.

“It’s been a long six months, but it (the recovery) is coming along really strongly. The knee is feeling really good, I’m ticking all the boxes at the moment, and it’s at the point now where they’re kind of holding me back a little bit.

“I feel like I’m progressing really good and looking forward to a good season in ’26,” he said.

The injury was a bitter blow for Plath, who is renowned for his work ethic and was on track to be considered for State of Origin in 2025. He’s confident he can regain the form that put him in that position.

“I still think there’s a lot of improvement left in my game. It’s also a really good time, when you’re injured, to reflect on your weaknesses and to work on those,” he explained.

“From a skill’s base perspective, there’s always work you can do on your kicking, passing and your ball playing and your tackling ... from that perspective, getting really good in those areas.

“(Also) trying to expand my game into being and NRL quality player in a couple of positions ... that’s probably the next stage for my career.”

Plath said while it had been a difficult six months, it had also been a chance to reflect on where he’s at as a player and how he can grow.

“It’s been really tough. I only played about eight games last year and the previous season, I had one of the best seasons I’ve had in my career so far ... going from the highs down to the lows.

“You’re really riding the rollercoaster of rugby league. At the same time, I’m so lucky to be in this position and be at such a great club.

“I’ve learnt heaps of lessons and hopefully I can come out the other side of this rehab a much better player and person.”

When he is fit to play, Plath will face tough competition to secure a spot in the starting side with Kurt Donoghoe proving he too deserves to play in the NRL during season 2025.

“I thought since I met Kurt that he’s a sensational player and whatever position he played he could absolutely brain it,” Plath said.

“I’d much rather be the worst player in a winning team than be the best player in a losing team. Winning is everything for me.

“If that’s Kurt’s position, that’s Kurt’s position. I can figure out another way to help the team win.

“I’m very much a realist in that sense. We’ve got some really good forwards. No one has rights to any jersey whatsoever.

“It’s going to be a big motivation for me to try to get into that team. Woolfy will name the best 17, so if I can just put my hand up and try to improve my game hopefully, I can get back in.”