Trai Fuller … ‘He’s quick, he’s elusive’

Redcliffe Dolphins’ fan-favourite Trai Fuller is poised to make his debut for the injury-hit Dolphins NRL team this weekend against Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium.

The star fullback has been on a NRL train and trial contract this season but has not yet had an opportunity to play on the big stage. He will be the team’s 18^th man.

It comes as the Dolphins prepare for a game without Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Kenny Bromwich and Connelly Lemuelu (HIAs), Jeremy Marshall-King (shoulder), Ray Stone (broken toe, suspension) and perhaps Felise Kaufusi (hamstring).

Fuller, 26, 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.

Fuller was named Man of the Match after the Redcliffe Dolphins’ 32-26 win over the Central Queensland Capras on Sunday in which he scored two tries.

Dolphins NRL prop Mark Nicholls knows his team is in for battle against Wests, missing so many key players, but is excited Fuller will be part of the squad.

“It’s going to be tough. They played well on the weekend against a very good Warriors team so we’re going to have to go down to Sydney … we look like we’re probably going to be missing guys from the weekend,” Nicholls said at training today.

“A lot of the young guys are going to have to come up. It’s a good opportunity for them. They get to come up and show Wayne and the club and fans what they’ve got.

|“It looks like Trai Fuller’s going to get his NRL debut. He’s a good story, he’s been at the club for a long time … mid-20s, been playing cup for a long time. It’s exciting.|

“He’s been playing really good footy, he got Man of the Match on the weekend. I’m sure his family will be really excited and hopefully, as a team, we can make it a good occasion for him.

“He’s quick, he’s elusive, he’s got good skills and he’s tough. I think one of the things that I’ve noticed from training against him through our preseason was that he’s not afraid to take the tough carry into the big boys. We’re going to need that from him on the weekend. I’m excited to see how he goes.”

The Dolphins take on Wests Tigers at CommBank Stadium in round 25 on Saturday at 3pm. The game will be broadcast on Kayo and Foxtel.