Teenager refuses to back down
THE firebrand in Tom Gilbert was on show at several junctures on Friday night, but none more prominently than his scuffle with Daly CherryEvans.
There was no disrespect intended from the 19-year-old, no desire to diminish the Manly star’s status in the game.
He was sending a message: “We will not be pushed around.”
Gilbert’s introduction into the NRL has come equipped with a reputation as an aggressive forward who refuses to take a backward step, regardless of who he is faced with.
That attitude earned him the mantle of the 2019 Intrust Super Cup rookie of the year, but it also contributed to his three-week suspension earlier this season.
Since the up-and-coming forward has returned to the Cowboys’ starting 17 he has stayed in control, however his eagerness to get under the skin of Cherry-Evans seemed to garner the ire of the Sea Eagles skipper.
For Gilbert, it was about showcasing the attitude of the North Queensland side in the Josh Hannay era that they will not bow to anyone.
“I definitely wasn’t trying to be disrespectful to the Queensland
captain, but at the end of the day they were the opposition and I was trying to find my rhythm in the game,” he said.
Despite the 24-12 loss at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, there were marked improvements in effort.
Against Manly the teen sensation turned in his best firstgrade effort, making 26 tackles for no misses and running for 73 metres.