Dolphins forward Tom Gilbert has re-signed with the club until the end of 2028 and has been touted as a future captain of the newest NRL club.
The 22-year-old Queensland representative was already on the Dolphins' books until 2025, but his three-year extension solidifies the strong squad the club is building for the future.
Gilbert dislocated his shoulder while playing for the Maroons in game one of the State of Origin series and had season-ending surgery, but he will be back training in November ahead of the 2024 campaign.
The Dolphins already have a plethora of key players signed long-term with fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on deck until the end of 2027. Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King, second-rower Kenny Bromwich and half Sean O’Sullivan are signed until the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Next year the Dolphins welcome Brisbane and Queensland prop Tom Flegler (2027), Broncos and England international centre Herbie Farnworth (2026) and Canterbury outside back Jake Averillo (2026).
Gilbert said he wanted to ensure the Dolphins, currently in 13th position, would be regular premiership contenders in future.
"I’m not one to talk about winning premierships but I think contending for a premiership is a standard you have to set,” Gilbert said at a press conference in Redcliffe on Tuesday.
“Those standards are hard and gruelling and each year I am here I want to set those standards ... but we’ve got to get the processes right. I think a lot of boys here are big on processes and the week-to-week-grind.
“There is a lot of drive and a lot of a sense that the boys want to be successful for a long time. The players coming in, that is a big motivation and something I have a lot of confidence in. That excites me."
Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said Gilbert was a future captain in the making.
“Some people sign a long-term contract and clock off. Last year he signed with us early (in the season) and he hadn’t played Origin yet but his football went to another level,” Reader said.
“The coaching staff think he has wonderful leadership attributes and I am sure extra honours will come his way. When we signed him from the Cowboys I had four different people ring me from the Cowboys to tell me he might be our future captain because of the sort of guy he is on and off the field.”
Gilbert has resolved to take his leadership qualities to new heights.
“It is a club I definitely want to be a leader at and make sure we have sustain success at for a long period of time,” Gilbert said.
“For me it is about what steps I can take to elevate this team the next couple of years. There is no better way to do that than committing long-term to our goal and our standards.”
