{{Short description|Australian rugby league player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Max Plath |fullname = Max Plath |image = Max Plath.jpg |imagesize = | caption = Plath playing for the Dolphins in 2026. |birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|10|03|df=yes}} |birth_place = Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |height = {{convert|178|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} |weight = {{convert|87|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} |position = {{rlp|HK|LK|SR}} |club1 = Dolphins |year1start = 2023 |year1end = present |appearances1 = 40 |tries1 = 9 |goals1 = 0 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 36 |teamA = Queensland |yearAstart = 2026 |yearAend = |appearancesA = 1 |triesA = 0 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 0 |source = <ref>[https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/max-plath/summary.html RLP]</ref> | module = {{infobox person | embed = yes | father = John Plath | mother = | spouse = | education = Iona College Brisbane | alma_mater = | relatives = }} }}
'''Max Plath''' (born 3 October 2001)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://nothingbutleague.com/player/max-plath/ | title=Max Plath }}</ref> is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|hk|lk}} or {{rlp|sr}} forward for the Dolphins in the National Rugby League (NRL).
== Background == Plath was born in Brisbane, Queensland and was educated at Iona College, where he played rugby union in the AIC competition.<ref>https://www.qrl.com.au/news/2022/03/26/iona-college-proves-a-happy-hunting-ground-for-wynnum-manly/</ref> He is the son of former Brisbane Broncos utility John Plath, and older brother of Jordan Plath, who has left the South Sydney Rabbitohs and has joined Dolphins on a 2 year deal and is playing in the Hostplus Cup. He played his junior rugby league at Capalaba Warriors for a small stint before playing at Wynnum Manly Juniors.<ref>https://www.wynnumseagulls.com.au/max-plath-signs-with-dolphins-nrl-team/</ref>
==Playing career== ===Early career=== During 2022 and 2023, Plath played seventeen games, scored nine tries and kicked nineteen goals for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Hostplus Cup.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dolphinsnrl.com.au/teams/qrl-premiership/redcliffe-dolphins/max-plath/ | title=Official Hostplus Cup profile of Max Plath for Redcliffe Dolphins | Dolphins | date=12 December 2023 }}</ref> He has also played in the Queensland under-19 team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wynnumseagulls.com.au/max-plath-signs-with-dolphins-nrl-team/|title=Max Plath Signs With Dolphins NRL Team|date=12 April 2023|website=WynnumSeagulls.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wynnumseagulls.com.au/future-gulls-get-to-know-max-plath/|title=Future Gulls: Get to know Max Plath|date=8 April 2020|website=WynnumSeagulls.com}}</ref>
===Dolphins (2023–present)=== During 2023, Plath played fifteen games and scored six tries for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Hostplus Cup competition run by the Queensland Rugby League (QRL).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dolphinsnrl.com.au/teams/qrl-premiership/redcliffe-dolphins/max-plath/ | title=Official Hostplus Cup profile of Max Plath for Redcliffe Dolphins | Dolphins | date=12 December 2023 }}</ref> On 2 June 2023 in round 14 of the 2023 NRL season, Plath made his first grade debut from the bench in their 8–30 loss to the New Zealand Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/draw/nrl-premiership/2023/round-14/warriors-v-dolphins/|title=Round 14 Warriors V Dolphins|website=NRL.com|date=4 June 2023}}</ref> In total, Plath played two NRL games and scored one try for the Dolphins that year. In December 2023, his contract was extended until 2026.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dolphinsnrl.com.au/news/2023/12/12/plath-extends-with-dolphins-through-to-2026/ | title=Plath extends with Dolphins through to 2026 | date=12 December 2023 }}</ref>
=== 2024 === In round 4 of the 2024 NRL season, Plath was placed on report for a hip drop tackle during the clubs 30–14 victory over the Gold Coast Titans. Plath was later suspended for two games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/that-looked-ugly-dolphins-forward-max-plath-at-risk-of-suspension-after-horrific-tackle/news-story/7c69f8443f08896f45a0ae2fe4b12eb9/|title=Dolphins forward learns fate for ‘ugly’ and ‘horrific’ hip drop tackle|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref> In round 7 of the 2024 NRL season, Plath scored two tries for the Dolphins in their 44–16 victory over Parramatta.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-news-2024-parramatta-eels-vs-the-dolphins-live-stream-updates-start-time-teams-jesse-bromwich-dylan-brown/news-story/672e76464c7ec92abd251e7f31f1ca26/|title=Dolphins stun with nine-try onslaught to leave Eels shell-shocked in ‘demoralising loss’|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}</ref> He played a total of 21 games for the Dolphins in the 2024 NRL season as the club finished 10th on the table.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-exclusive-season-review-dolphins-wayne-bennett-20240912-p5ka9m.html/|title=The Mole's end-of-season review: How one star 'lost his way' as Dolphins struggle with 'demanding' schedule|website=www.nine.com.au}}</ref>
=== 2025 === On 26 February, the Dolphins announced that Plath extended his contract until the end of 2028.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-25 |title=Plath extends Dolphins' stay until 2028 |url=https://www.dolphinsnrl.com.au/news/2025/02/26/plath-extends-dolphins-stay-until-2028/ |access-date=2025-02-26 |website=The Dolphins |language=en}}</ref> Plath was limited to just eight games for the Dolphins in the 2025 NRL season as the club narrowly missed out on the finals finishing 9th.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2025-the-mole-dolphins-season-review-ladder-signings-hamiso-tabuai-fidow-kristian-woolf-20250909-p5mth9.html/|title=The Mole's 2025 review: Concerning gulf separating Dolphins from NRL's top contenders|website=www.nine.com.au}}</ref>
===2026=== He made his Queensland debut in Game 1 of the 2026 State of Origin on 27 May 2026 in the 22-20 defeat.<ref>{{cite web|website=Rugby League Project|date=27 May 2026|accessdate=28 May 2026|title=2026 Ampol State of Origin Series|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/state-of-origin-2026/game-1/new-south-wales-origin-vs-queensland-origin/summary.html}}</ref>
== Statistics == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |- |2023 | rowspan="4" |{{leagueicon|Dolphins|16}} Dolphins | align=right |2 | align=right |1 | align=right |4 |- |2024 | align=right |21 | align=right |4 | align=right |16 |- |2025 | align=right |8 | align=right |3 | align=right |12 |- |2026 | align=right | | align=right | | align=right | |- | |Totals | align=right |'''31''' | align=right |'''8''' | align=right |'''32''' |}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.dolphinsnrl.com.au/teams/qrl-premiership/redcliffe-dolphins/max-plath/ Dolphins profile]
{{Dolphins squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Plath, Max}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen Category:Australian rugby league players Category:Dolphins (NRL) players Category:Queensland Rugby League State of Origin players Category:Rugby league locks Category:Rugby league hookers Category:Rugby league players from Brisbane Category:Rugby league second-rows Category:People educated at Iona College Brisbane Category:Wynnum Manly Seagulls players