Tom Gilbert

[257Matt]

Gilbert takes key step for Dolphins in ACL recovery
By Joel Gould (AAP)
January 7, 2025

The Dolphins have received a massive boost to start 2025, with star forward Tom Gilbert getting through his first full opposed-contact session in a year with flying colours.

The 24-year-old was sorely missed in 2024 when he was absent for the entire NRL season with a torn ACL, after he had been absent for most of the previous year with a shoulder injury.

Gilbert's leadership, aggression and all-round A-grade game will give new coach Kristian Woolf the firepower he needs in a pack bolstered by the signing of Newcastle and former NSW prop Daniel Saifiti and rampaging ex-North Queensland back-rower Kulikefu Finefuiaki.

Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa said Queensland firebrand Gilbert's return to full contact in a 13-on-13 setting was a blessing for the entire club as they target making finals for the first time.

"It’s so good actually, he comes with such a presence," Katoa said.

"He’s definitely learnt how to be a bit more of a leader through his communication, and obviously with the loss of (former skipper) Jesse Bromwich he’s taken it upon himself to take on more of a leadership role.

"I think the thing we love and respect about Tom is he earns it through his actions, not just his words, and that’s something we always admire in him. He’s actually moving really well, and that’s great signs for him."

Like all the elite players in the NRL, Gilbert makes those around him better and lifts belief.

FULL ARTICLE:

Gilbert takes key step for Dolphins in ACL recovery

The sight of Dolphins star forward Tom Gilbert in his first full-contact, opposed session since rupturing an ACL has buoyed the entire squad to start 2025.

www.aapnews.com.au

 

[257Matt]

Gilbert: The goal is to play round one

Dolphins Forward Tom Gilbert speaks to media after their training session in the Sunshine Coast.

www.dolphinsnrl.com.au

 

[Equaliser]

Gilbert: The goal is to play round one

Dolphins Forward Tom Gilbert speaks to media after their training session in the Sunshine Coast.

www.dolphinsnrl.com.au

Did he say which position he's looking at? Could be anywhere in the forwards except hooker.

 

[257Matt]

Did he say which position he's looking at? Could be anywhere in the forwards except hooker.

NO

 

[Equaliser]

NO

I think lock with Plath giving him and JMK a rest at different stages of the game.

 

[257Matt]

I think lock with Plath giving him and JMK a rest at different stages of the game.

McGuire is calling Courier Mail journos and telling them what is happening. I do laugh at all the outward bravado from the Broncos and I'm not as convinced as others on McGuire. I do believe he will have success in 2025 he will also be gone by end of 2026.

We can only guess and work out by the footage we see the club or players post on their socials of training. My view and I could be wrong is that when all is fit and well Plath will play 60-65 mins, JMK will play at least 70mins and Gilbert will work his way up to 60mins. Plath's averages before going into the 9 spot were always around the 65 mark, Gilbert before the injury in 2023 was playing 60 a game and JMK is min 70 max 80 when he's fully fit.

JMK, Gilbert and Plath are so important to the Dolphins. When JMK is firing so are the Dolphins he's so vital to them. Gilbert and Plath give the middle much younger and fitter legs the Dolphins age, lack of speed and lack leg drive in the middles can get exposed quite easily.

 

[Equaliser]

McGuire is calling Courier Mail journos and telling them what is happening. I do laugh at all the outward bravado from the Broncos and I'm not as convinced as others on McGuire. I do believe he will have success in 2025 he will also be gone by end of 2026.

We can only guess and work out by the footage we see the club or players post on their socials of training. My view and I could be wrong is that when all is fit and well Plath will play 60-65 mins, JMK will play at least 70mins and Gilbert will work his way up to 60mins. Plath's averages before going into the 9 spot were always around the 65 mark, Gilbert before the injury in 2023 was playing 60 a game and JMK is min 70 max 80 when he's fully fit.

JMK, Gilbert and Plath are so important to the Dolphins. When JMK is firing so are the Dolphins he's so vital to them. Gilbert and Plath give the middle much younger and fitter legs the Dolphins age, lack of speed and lack leg drive in the middles can get exposed quite easily.

I thought Gilbert coming off after about 30min for Plath. Then Plath moving to hooker for the first 15min of the second half with Gilbert coming back on at halftime. But on second thoughts, that won't work. Problem is that typically Gilbert and Plath would come off at around the same time.

 

[mr_c]

his optimum role is lock but i see him going into prop where needed like fuis

 

[257Matt]

I thought Gilbert coming off after about 30min for Plath. Then Plath moving to hooker for the first 15min of the second half with Gilbert coming back on at halftime. But on second thoughts, that won't work. Problem is that typically Gilbert and Plath would come off at around the same time.

JMK plays 70-80 as a hooker if he's off for anything less than 10 a game is hurtful for the Dolphins. People forget just how good JMK has become since Potter became Bulldogs interim coach in 2022. JMK has the same outside stigma Hammer where Payten didn't see Hammer as a first grader so lets run with that same as Gus Gould didn't see JMK as a first grader so he musn't be a first grade player.

Woolf will have a way to best use Plath and Gilbert they will be playing 60mins per game on average once Gilbert gets 1-2 games under his belt it won't take long for Gilbert to get confidence.

 

[mr_c]

JMK plays 70-80 as a hooker if he's off for anything less than 10 a game is hurtful for the Dolphins. People forget just how good JMK has become since Potter became Bulldogs interim coach in 2022. JMK has the same outside stigma Hammer where Payten didn't see Hammer as a first grader so lets run with that same as Gus Gould didn't see JMK as a first grader so he musn't be a first grade player.

Woolf will have a way to best use Plath and Gilbert they will be playing 60mins per game on average once Gilbert gets 1-2 games under his belt it won't take long for Gilbert to get confidence.

Todd wasn't the reasoning he left was behind scenes

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

JMK plays 70-80 as a hooker if he's off for anything less than 10 a game is hurtful for the Dolphins. People forget just how good JMK has become since Potter became Bulldogs interim coach in 2022. JMK has the same outside stigma Hammer where Payten didn't see Hammer as a first grader so lets run with that same as Gus Gould didn't see JMK as a first grader so he musn't be a first grade player.

Woolf will have a way to best use Plath and Gilbert they will be playing 60mins per game on average once Gilbert gets 1-2 games under his belt it won't take long for Gilbert to get confidence.

Gus Gould is a hoax. He rated Reed M over him.

Gus Gould throws darts at a board, and working for cashed up organisations, you can miss plenty of darts without it hurting you.

Gould’s strength isn’t anything other then career management and knowing how to win friends and influence people.

 

[Josh]

JMK plays 70-80 as a hooker if he's off for anything less than 10 a game is hurtful for the Dolphins. People forget just how good JMK has become since Potter became Bulldogs interim coach in 2022. JMK has the same outside stigma Hammer where Payten didn't see Hammer as a first grader so lets run with that same as Gus Gould didn't see JMK as a first grader so he musn't be a first grade player.

Woolf will have a way to best use Plath and Gilbert they will be playing 60mins per game on average once Gilbert gets 1-2 games under his belt it won't take long for Gilbert to get confidence.

JMK plays more like 60~70 minutes. Usually 70 max. 60 is more common.

 

[257Matt]

JMK plays more like 60~70 minutes. Usually 70 max. 60 is more common.

Actually Josh check his stats bar the last 2 games and the one he got injured he was 70-80mins.

 

[Equaliser]

Actually Josh check his stats bar the last 2 games and the one he got injured he was 70-80mins.

He played 80 min a number of times last season but I think coaching staff have identified it as a problem. He and the team are much better when he can take a rest for 10-20 min.

 

[257Matt]

He played 80 min a number of times last season but I think coaching staff have identified it as a problem. He and the team are much better when he can take a rest for 10-20 min.

IMO the best player at Dolphins is JMK and he will play around 70mins per game unless injured.

JMK is so under rated and under appreciated.

 

[Equaliser]

IMO the best player at Dolphins is JMK and he will play around 70mins per game unless injured.

JMK is so under rated and under appreciated.

Plath was best last year but I agree. When JMK is fit, team is so much better.

 

[257Matt]

Plath was best last year but I agree. When JMK is fit, team is so much better.

Plath and Isaako in the last two years deserved player of the year.

Best Player and Player of the Year are two different things

 

[Equaliser]

Plath and Isaako in the last two years deserved player of the year.

Best Player and Player of the Year are two different things

Herbie, Gilbert or Flegler are probably best if you are looking at it from a talent perspective. Katoa might be this year.

 

[257Matt]

Herbie, Gilbert or Flegler are probably best if you are looking at it from a talent perspective. Katoa might be this year.

I reckon talent wise it's actually Hammer.

JMK is worth too much to the Dolphins. The clubs performances when he's playing on the field (fully fit) and without or him being replaced is staggering.

Dolphins first two tries they scored in their NRL history both came directly from JMK case in point.

 

[Equaliser]

I reckon talent wise it's actually Hammer.

JMK is worth too much to the Dolphins. The clubs performances when he's playing on the field (fully fit) and without or him being replaced is staggering.

Dolphins first two tries they scored in their NRL history both came directly from JMK case in point.

Hammer is up there. He'd be further up there if he was playing more often in his best position of centre. But I think Herbie shades him. Agree about JMK. He's been so vital for the teams success or lack of so far.