Gilbert hailed as Raging Bull 2.0
QUEENSLAND legends have declared debutant Tom Gilbert will play 20 Origin matches as they hailed the emergence of another Gorden Tallis-style Maroons “madman” for the Brisbane decider.
Gilbert revealed he shed tears when he fielded a phone call from Queensland coach Billy Slater, who informed the Cowboys firebrand he would make his Origin debut in the death-or-glory decider against NSW on Wednesday week.
The Origin call-up represents an unfathomable rise for the 21-year-old, who dreamed of emulating his hero Johnathan Thurston and now gets the chance to work with the Cowboys champion, an assistant to Slater, in Camp Maroon.
Gilbert has caught the eye at the Cowboys with his ferocious playing style, prompting Queensland’s legendary lock Billy Moore to predict the Maroons rookie will terrorise NSW off the bench in his Origin baptism.
“Tom is a madman – I love it,” said Moore, the 17-game Origin stalwart famous for his “Queenslander” chant.
“Tom can produce one of the great Origin debuts. I believe he is going to rip and tear.
“I see a little bit of lunatic in him and that’s just what Queensland needs in the decider. He plays with the passion of a Gorden Tallis or Mick Crocker, who were two of Queensland’s great forward firebrands.
“I look in Tom’s eyes and see a tinge of madness. To me he is a player who will do anything that is required to win for Queensland. He has been magnificent for the Cowboys this season and I believe he will relish the intensity of Origin.”
Former Queensland Origin lock Scott Sattler believes Gilbert, who has played 38 NRL games since his debut in 2020, will become a cornerstone of the Maroons pack for a decade.
“Tom is an exceptional selection,” Sattler said. “I remember watching him as an 18-year-old, he was playing for Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup and he ran for 250 metres and scored two tries and I was blown away.”
Gilbert, who will join the Dolphins next season, hosed down suggestions he is Queensland’s new-age Raging Bull, attributing his success to playing with more focus and controlled aggression.
“I’m no madman,” he said. “What’s helped me get this jersey is probably stepping back from that style and playing with more balance.
“I did shed a couple of tears when Billy told me I was in the side. I just never thought as a kid I would get this opportunity. Not that I didn’t believe in myself, but growing up the Queensland guys were my heroes and role models and for me, it was a dream, but as a goal it felt unattainable.”