Tom Gilbert Ready to Step Up if Called Upon for State of Origin 2
Dolphins forward Tom Gilbert has expressed his eagerness to represent Queensland in the upcoming State of Origin 2 if given the opportunity. The Maroons will be without key players Pat Carrigan and Gehamat Shibasaki following their injuries sustained during the Broncos’ loss to the Dragons on Sunday.
Carrigan is expected to miss at least three weeks due to a syndesmosis injury, effectively ruling him out of the second game. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is currently seen as the most likely replacement to come onto the Maroons’ bench after being the 20th man for Game 2.
Gilbert, who has played two games for Queensland in his career, says he would jump at the chance to add to his tally. The 25-year-old, who played one Origin game in 2022 and another in 2023, believes he has overcome the errors that had previously affected his performance.
“I always want to play for Queensland,” he told AAP on Tuesday. “I have always been vocal about it and it has been one of the driving reasons why I keep turning up each day and keep coming back from injuries.”
He admitted disappointment at not being selected for Game 1 but reflected on the importance of minimizing mistakes. “The more I reflected on it the more I realised there were probably too many errors in my game. Errors are a part of footy, but mine were in crucial times.”
In his last four games, Gilbert has made just two mistakes. “I have been really happy with the last four weeks and the consistency around that and minimising those errors,” he said. “My confidence in my football ability makes me confident that … I will be there in a Maroons jersey eventually.”
This weekend will mark the most games of football he has played in a season in four years. “I probably needed a realisation of how I am going to get back to my best footy. I’m lucky I have had really good discussions with my coaches and my role coming off the bench now really helps me.”
Inspired by Teammate Tom Flegler
Tom Gilbert draws inspiration from his teammate Tom Flegler, who made a remarkable return to the Origin arena after suffering a career-threatening shoulder injury. “It is inspirational because he could have easily gone away from footy but chose to stick it out and take a tougher route,” Gilbert said.
“For someone like that to get the reward after a long journey back, I can only imagine what that feeling and emotion is like. It is something I would love to have one day. It would be emotional. It would be everything.”
