https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys/cowboys-fringe-forward-tom-gilbert-says-the-covid19-phase-will-only-strengthen-his-resolve/news-story/f784806b864068b77848fe3b0b2c06fe A SHORTENED season may limit Tom Gilbert’s chances of making his NRL debut, but that opportunity is still very much his focus for 2020. It is something he dreamt about as a kid and the vision has grown with him throughout his time in Townsville. Should that not transpire this year, the coronavirus pandemic will not be an excuse he goes to. Many rugby league judges had pencilled in the barnstorming 19-year-old for a first-grade berth this year with the North Queensland Cowboys. Should the NRL return on May 28, as has been floated, teams will have fewer rounds to blood players into the top level. They will need to hit the ground running. But rather than shy away from the challenge and write the year off, Gilbert said these tough times were an opportunity for him to show Cowboys coach Paul Green and the rest of his staff what he is made of. If he cannot just maintain the work he put in throughout the pre-season but better himself, that will only heighten his standing with the Cowboys setup. “I think being dealt with this situation, long term it will make me a stronger and more resilient player,” Gilbert said.
“Nothing is given in this game, everything is earnt. By round two I hadn’t earned my jersey yet so I definitely don’t feel robbed. “It’s like having a second pre-season, I’ve always been a big believer in how vital they are for you. “My motivation to make my NRL debut hasn’t changed because of what has happened … I’d marked this year down as when I wanted to make my debut and am not using it as an excuse not to play.” The 2019 Intrust Super Cup rookie of the year has been taking the time away from the game in phases. Most recently he has been ensuring his strength and fitness is up to scratch, and he has now begun incorporating more skill development into his daily routine. The deflating reality is that should Gilbert not secure a spot in the Cowboys’ starting 17 when the competition resumes, he will not have the Townsville Blackhawks to return to in a bid to bolster his output and showcase why he is worthy of selection. But despite the Intrust Super Cup’s cancellation for the year, he will continue to find ways around this hurdle. Prior to the start of the NRL season, Gilbert spoke to the Townsville Bulletin about his desire to find a point of difference that separates him from other forwards in the competition. His search is still on, even behind closed doors, it is just a matter of being creative in how to harness his skills. Fortunately, Gilbert’s partner Maddie Mair has been the taskmaster he needs to ensure his performance maintains an uphill trajectory. “She has good patience, I think I can use better things around the house as an opponent (for defence), but she’s happy to catch some balls for me,” Gilbert said. “I cop a spray every now and then but she’s been really good to help me training, she’s keeping me in a good headspace.”
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorThis section showcases a collection of some of the work I did covering the North Queensland Cowboys - from match reports, to player features to breaking news. Archives
June 2020
Categories |