‘One day be captain of the club’: Tom Gilbert has eyes on Dolphins captaincy after signing contract extension

Tom Gilbert might be out for the rest of the season but his future looks bright, with the Dolphins star signing a new deal.

Tom Gilbert has inked a new deal to stay with the Dolphins until 2028. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The Dolphins have re-signed representative forward Tom Gilbert until the end of the 2028 season in another big win for the NRL’s newest franchise who see the Maroons star as a future captain of the club.

Fresh from extending the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jeremy Marshall-King, the Dolphins have locked in Gilbert on a new deal despite him already being contracted until the end of 2025.

The Dolphins have exceeded expectations this year and will be even stronger in 2024 with Tom Flegler, Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo all set to join the club.

Gilbert’s signature is a huge boost for the club given how well he performed in the forwards before he suffered a serious shoulder injury in the State of Origin opener that ended his season prematurely.

Tom Gilbert won’t play again this year after he suffered a major shoulder injury in the Origin opener. Picture: NRL Imagery

“I am very happy to have my long-term future locked in with the Dolphins,” he said.

“As a Brisbane boy, it has been a great experience to see an NRL team flourish in the region I grew up in. It’s also been a privilege to do it alongside this group of players and with my family right by my side.

“You can see that the Dolphins are set up for a bright future and I want to be part of it.”

Gilbert’s work on and off the field has impressed club officials who see him as a future leader.

“Tom will always be remembered along with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow as the first player to represent Queensland from the Dolphins NRL team,” Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader said.

“His work ethic and involvement both on and off the field for the Dolphins already has Tom held in high regard by both the coaches and staff of the club.

“His impressive maturity and ability to work hard towards a goal make him a certainty for future leadership roles here, not excluding the opportunity to one day be captain of the club.”

Joey Lussick is heading back to the Eels after an impressive stint with St Helens. Picture: Jess Hornby/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the Eels have picked up Joey Lussick for the remainder of the year on a deal that will keep him at Parramatta until 2025.

Lussick played for the Eels in 2021 before he moved to the Super League where he’s been playing primarily off the bench for St Helens.

The 27-year-old looms as a key signing given there are reports veteran hooker Josh Hodgson is set to retire due to a chronic neck injury.

“Joey will add quality and depth to our roster,” Eels general manager of football Mark O’Neill said.

“He knows our systems and coaching style and will fit in right where he left off.”