Dolphins dynamo Fuller proves 'too small' critics wrong

"You always want to test yourself against the best, but it's just another game I suppose, and I am going to try and think of it like that," Fuller said.

"I just play my own game."

Eighth spot and a finals berth is up for grabs for the winner. Fuller's value to the Dolphins is such that coach Wayne Bennett, after five straight losses, recalled him for the 40-6 whipping of Brisbane and switched Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to centre. 

Fuller had a blinder with his staccato running style, speed and charge-through-brick-walls approach.

Bennett said before the match the side needed Fuller's energy.

Fuller has had his critics ever since he started playing as a youth. 

Too small, they all said.

"I've been told that a fair bit by plenty of people, but it doesn't really matter to me. I just play my football," Fuller grinned.

Trai Fuller, take a bow! �— NRL (@NRL) #NRLDolphinsManly pic.twitter.com/BfD8hXBwwdMay 9, 2024

It is no surprise that Fuller's heroes coming through were diminutive Indigenous stars Matty Bowen and Preston Campbell, who played tough and with razzle-dazzle.

"They were all heart," Fuller said.

This season Fuller has played 10 games, most of them when Tabuai-Fidow was out, but Bennett had to find a way to get them both in the side on the cusp of finals. The belief from the coach has been well received.

"I've always felt that with Wayne. There's not many coaches that I had when I've been training up at NRL level that give me the confidence like what he's done," Fuller said.

"He's always told me that when Hammer (Tabuai-Fidow) wasn't there I get the opportunity, and he stuck to his word with that."

Last week Bennett went a step further, but Fuller didn't feel the pressure.

"Oh, not really, I just knew I had to play my own game," Fuller said.

"Hammer's Hammer and I'm myself, so I know what I need to do, and he can do things that I can't do."

Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich realised Fuller was special when he  won the players' player award in his first three games for the club.

"I knew he was talented from the start," Bromwich said.

"Every time he comes into the team he is just so strong and committed to the contact, which is the part that we all enjoy the most for such a small guy. I have full confidence in him."

Fuller, who had been plying his trade in the Queensland Cup for Redcliffe since 2018, secured his first full NRL contract this year, which keeps him in the top squad until the end of 2026.

"It's good. Knowing what I'm going to be doing eases the mind a bit," he said.