No regrets about leaving NQ for Dolphins: Gilbert
MAROONS star Tom Gilbert has ambitions to one day captain the Dolphins and insists he has no regrets about quitting the Cowboys in the midst of a premiership window.
Gilbert was unveiled in Dolphins colours for the first time on Friday as he modelled the expansion club’s jerseys with Titans recruit Jarrod Wallace.
The hard-hitting forward was one of North Queensland’s many success stories in 2022 as the Cowboys made a fairytale run from 15th in 2021
to the preliminary finals.
Gilbert, 22, made his Origin debut for Queensland in the epic Suncorp Stadium decider in what was a breakout season.
He made the decision to leave Townsville to be closer to family in Brisbane. But, the Dolphins have struggled to attract top-line talent after being handed the NRL’S 17th licence only 12 months before entering the league.
The Dolphins have been written off by bookmakers in the 2023 NRL premiership race, rated $67 title chances compared to the Cowboys at $13.
But Gilbert wouldn’t be anywhere else, declaring he made the right decision to return to south east Queensland to head up the NRL’S first new club since Gold Coast in 2007.
“I started with the Cowboys at 15 and built my reputation and lifestyle in Townsville so being here is already different,” he said.
“For me, it was a decision that was made for family. At the end of the day, I’m always going to be a family man.
“It was easy to make and something I really wanted to do. I’m really happy to be standing here today in a Dolphins jersey.
“I’ve had no second thoughts about it.”