Gilbert to prove Maroons’ mettle Tom’s out to settle score
THERE is a fire in the belly of North Queensland Cowboys young gun Tom Gilbert that refuses to be tamed.
Gilbert, 18, is out to avenge the heartbreak of losing to NSW. For three years he donned the Queensland jersey, in Under-16s in 2016 and then twice in Under-18s, and each time the Maroons came up millimetres short. But that run of misfortune ends now.
Gilbert was again named to pull on the Queensland jersey next week as part of the Under-20s curtain-raiser at ANZ Stadium.
He will be joined by five other junior Cowboys including Murray Taulagi, Elijah Anderson, Nathan Barrett, Logan Bayliss-brow and Ben Condon.
They are teammates, friends, and players Gilbert believes he owes a debt after last year’s loss.
“Last year especially most of the blokes I got the opportunity to play with are my closest mates. A lot of us have been together since we were 15 and 16,” he said.
“(Playing for Queensland) it was a big week for us. But we just felt like when we needed it most we let each other down.
“There is a few blokes next Wednesday who will be in the same boat as me. We have the duty, we owe it to one another to make up for the years where we couldn’t come up with that final play when we needed it most.
“When I got the chance to play for Queensland again it has brought up some of those emotions. It is not the feeling you want. After what is a massive week, the last thing you want to be doing is wallowing in a loss.
“I don’t want to be feeling that for a fourth year. It is definitely time for a change.”
While he will be one of the youngest members of the Queensland squad, Gilbert will come in as one of the most experienced after playing with the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup this season.
He has been one of the Blackhawks’ best week in and week out, earning a callup to the Queensland Residents earlier this year for their 42-22 win over NSW Residents.
But that will not stop Gilbert from taking stock during the week in Maroons camp, and trying to absorb as much as he can from a top-tier coaching staff that includes Queensland legends Scott Prince, Brent Tate and Lote Tuqiri.
“It is amazing to have that sort of experience to be feeding off (for the week),” Gilbert said.
“It makes the experience that much better. I have always followed these blokes as a kid, especially Lote.
“I am from a union family and Lote was playing for the Wallabies when I was growing up. Being a rugby league convert, I have always looked up to guys like him.”
Going up against a NSW side that features NRL experience in Oregon Kaufusi (Eels), Stefano Utoikamanu (Eels), Sam Verills (Roosters) and Brandon Wakeham (Bulldogs), it is no surprise the Maroons will be considered the underdogs.
But it is a label that Gilbert relishes.
“I love that label and most of the other boys love that label,” he said.
“I don’t see it as a bad thing. It is a chance to showcase what our squad is about and the character we have.
“Our squad is capable enough of building a fairytale finish.
“I think most of the Queensland sides have won this season including the Residents, women and under-18s. Hopefully we can get it done and the men can get it done, and we can show just how dominant Queensland truly is.”