Dolphins utility Max Plath won the time trial on the first day of pre-season training and has set himself a bigger goal of winning a regular spot in the NRL side in 2024.
The 22-year-old son of four-time premiership winning Brisbane star John Plath is already shows signs of being a chip off the old block.
John Plath won all his Broncos premierships from the interchange bench. Wayne Bennett would give him a job to do and he would do it with great impact.
Max can play hooker, in the halves and as a middle forward. He is just two games into his NRL career but showed in the round 27 win over the Warriors what a talent he is.
Coming off the bench Plath scored a try, made two line breaks and 31 tackles in a stellar display.
"I want to play more first grade this year and find a role in the squad that helps the team go deep into the finals and win the comp," he told AAP.
"I might train at half one day, hooker the next and then lock or back-row.
“I played half for most of my career until last season when I started playing lock in Queensland Cup for Redcliffe and I really enjoyed that."
Plath played plenty of backyard footy with older brother Zac and younger sibling Jordy, who has joined South Sydney. Their dad was always a benchmark.
Plath's father constantly reminds him to stay in the game at all times, remain positive and to always be there for his teammates. They are qualities he epitomised as a player.
"We learned a lot from (John Plath) about effort areas and trying to impact games even when you aren't the most skilful player...and trying to be a good person," he said.
"You want to play with players you like. Dad had a really good career with a great bunch of players."
Plath came off the bench for Wynnum-Manly in the Queensland Cup at the start of this year where he played prop, lock and centre. He got a crack in the starting side against Redcliffe and impressed the Dolphins brains trust so much that they signed him on a three-year deal in the NRL squad.
The support of coach Bennett had been crucial in his development, as it was for his dad.
"He has helped me a lot with my confidence. To know that Wayne is backing you means a lot. You can get a lot out of that," he said.
Plath was the fittest in the first group of Dolphins back from pre-season training, returning a stellar time of 4 minutes 11 seconds in the 1.2km time trial.
It was a promising start for what he hopes is a breakout season ahead.
