26-04-2025
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Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has given a glowing endorsement of controversial prop Frank Molo as the ex-Maroons enforcer prepares to put his messy Dragons divorce behind him.
Molo will make his first appearance for the Dolphins in Sunday afternoon's clash with the Raiders in Canberra.
It will be the former Broncos hit-man's first NRL game since last year following an off-season saga at St George Illawarra.
Molo, 30, refused to report for pre-season training with the Dragons in the New Year, reportedly because he took offence to comments made by a Dragons staffer around his decision to abstain from alcohol.
Molo says he has been sober for about two years after pleading guilty to a domestic violence offence relating to an incident in December, 2022, on the NSW South Coast.
The father-of-three was handed an 18-month conditional release order in March, 2023, and two-match ban by the NRL.
Late last year, Molo said giving up alcohol and embracing Catholicism saved his relationship and career.
'Two years ago I had a bit of a rough patch with my relationship,' he told the Against the Grain podcast.
'I was on the brink of losing my family and relationship because of the selfish things I was doing.
'I was drinking a fair bit and wasn't being a good partner.
'My partner was going to leave me with the kids.
'I hit rock bottom. I feel like I've hit rock bottom a few times, but this was pretty bad.
'I chose to give up the drink and have been sober ever since. It was the best thing for me.'
Molo has had a turbulent career since making his NRL debut for Brisbane in 2014.
He had six NRL games under his belt in 2015 before producing a banned shoulder charge in a reserve grade game that resulted in the death of Sunshine Coast player James Ackerman.
The incident rocked the game, with Molo receiving an eight-match suspension and falling out of the NRL system until he returned with the North Queensland Cowboys in 2018.
He made his Origin debut for Queensland in the 2021 series and became a mainstay of the Dragons' pack over the past three seasons before his bitter exit last month, with the Dolphins handing him a two-year contract.
Woolf has held an association with Molo since his junior days and said the hard-hitting forward had turned his life around.
'He is a great story, Frank,' he said.
'He has been through so much in his life and has got every reason not to be sitting here as an NRL player or the man he is.
'He's made some really good choices in his life and changes. He's a great example and it's great to have him as part of our team.
'I've known him since he was 18. I was part of the Broncos when he debuted as a 19-year-old.
'He's always brought a real desire for the physical side of the game. He lets you know he's on the field because he wants to run hard and hit hard.
'He loves the physicality. That's what I like about him as a footballer.
'The changes he's made in his life, the man and father he's become and example he is … that's why I want him in the team.'
After spending three weeks in the Hostplus Cup, Molo has been elevated following injuries to Dolphins forwards Felise Kaufusi (knee) and Max Plath (foot).
The Raiders and Dolphins are both on three-game winning streaks and Woolf said his team faced a tough challenge in the nation's capital.
'The vibe is really good,' he said of Redcliffe's revival after four straight losses to start the season.
'We are training really well and have good confidence about us. They're nice and confident in their ability.
'This is another big challenge for us. We're going to play a top three team at their place.
'They're a tough side, playing well and coming off three wins in a row. They come at you for 80 minutes.
'We know we need to be prepared for them and it will be a real challenge.'
