Hess: Gilbert won’t let Cowboys down
MAROONS sOrigin forward Coen Hess has paid tribute to departing lock Tom Gilbert, backing the 21-year-old to leave nothing in the tank as he finishes his five-year stint in north Queensland.
Gilbert is on the move at the end of the NRL season after agreeing to a three-year deal with supercoach Wayne Bennett and his Dolphins.
One of the Cowboys’ leading middle forwards, Gilbert has evolved from the Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year in 2019 to a key part of the North Queensland pack.
Now with 30 NRL games under his belt, Gilbert said he had agonised over the decision to play out his final two seasons in Townsville or move home. But family, he said, always came first.
“This is the hardest decision I’ve had to make in my life, which is why it has taken me this long,” Gilbert said in a Cowboys release.
“I’ve been sitting on this for about four months, but it’s time for me to go home and be with my family. They need me.
“It means I’m leaving a club that I love, but supporting my family will always come first.
“I’d like to thank Toddy (Payten, coach) and Micheal Luck for everything they have done for me over the past two years and for supporting me with this decision.
“Individually I will leave everything I have on the park for the rest of this year because that will show the fans and the community how genuine I am about how much I love this club.
“That’s what I owe them and that’s what I’m going to do. Whilst I’ve only played 30 games, I am so proud to have been able to pull on a Cowboys jersey.”
Gilbert will join a forward pack that includes Storm trio Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi, and Souths front-rower Mark Nicholls.
Hess said Gilbert had left his mark on the Cowboys in a “short but sweet stint” in the Sunshine State’s north, but he expected the backrower to take his game to another level while working with that experienced group.
“He’s so meticulous with his preparation, he just loves the boys and loves being part of the group,” Hess said.
“(It’s) sad to see him go but it’s probably an awesome opportunity for him. For the signings they have had, there are some pretty good leaders down there. I’m sure he’ll be a sponge and soak it all up.”
Young Cowboys forward Heilum Luki said he was inspired by Gilbert’s professionalism, preparation and the way he competed.
“He sets a high standard, even though he’s young,” Luki said. “That’s something I noticed when I came to the Cowboys last year, that he’s very particular with what he does, and very professional with it.”
Cowboys general manager of football Micheal Luck said the club supported the decision.
“Tom Gilbert is held in the highest regard at our club and we are disappointed to see him depart,” Luck said.
“He has been the perfect example of what it takes to succeed at the top level of our game. His dedication to his craft, his teammates and our club has been exemplary since the day he arrived in North Queensland.”
The Cowboys are preparing to face Parramatta at Darwin’s TIO Stadium on Saturday night, when they will shoot for three straight wins.
However, there shouldn’t be any question about Gilbert’s dedication to the fifth-placed Cowboys’ cause for the rest of the year.
“The best thing about Tommy is you know he’s going to give his all before he goes,” Hess said. “You know exactly what you’re going to get out of Tommy every time he takes the field.
“He plays well above his age. And he’s the type of player everyone loves playing with.”
Meanwhile, the Cowboys have released utility back Daejarn Asi, who will immediately link with the Warriors.