Gilbert finally wins Rising Star nomination

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League boy a St Kilda star
24/07/2007 11:09:30 AM
Sportal

St Kilda defender Sam Gilbert hails from a strong rugby league background, but the lean youngster is making his mark in the AFL.

Gilbert - whose grandfather and great-grandfather played for St George in the NRL - was named the round 16 Rising Star nominee on Tuesday.

It marks another milestone in the 20-year-old New South Welshman's rapid rise.

Gilbert debuted in round eight last year but managed just one more senior game in 2006, despite being named an emergency for the Saints no less than 12 times.

He earned his spot in the injury-riddled St Kilda line-up in round five this season and has not looked back, playing every game since.

In an important win against Hawthorn on Saturday night at Telstra Dome, Gilbert racked up 22 touches and hauled in 12 marks in an impressive display opposed to veteran Hawk Ben Dixon.

Gilbert said his solid run of matches had given him belief.

"It took probably the first 10 games before you do start to feel like you do belong (at AFL level). Now I am starting to feel I do," Gilbert said.

Gilbert's nomination comes just six years after switching from rugby league to the country's indigenous code.

As a junior he played rugby league for the Bilambil Jets following in the footsteps of this family.

A fullback for the Jets, Gilbert threw in his promising rugby league career and took up AFL.

"I started late in Queensland but I feel like I have been playing for ever now."

In 2005 he played in a premiership with Southport in Queensland and came under the radar of AFL recruiters with impressive performances for Queensland at under-21 level.

He also represented the Allies against Victoria before attending the AFL draft camp.

He was St Kilda’s first selection (33rd overall) in the 2005 national draft.

Gilbert is St Kilda’s first nominee since Raphael Clarke in Round 22, 2005.
 

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#3
Gilbert. He is a star in the making. A massive improver, with plenty more to come. I am so happy that he chose the BEST game on earth over that rubbish preferred by our northern friends. He would have been such a waste otherwise...:)
 
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#4
League boy a St Kilda star
24/07/2007 11:09:30 AM
Sportal

St Kilda defender Sam Gilbert hails from a strong rugby league background, but the lean youngster is making his mark in the AFL.

Gilbert - whose grandfather and great-grandfather played for St George in the NRL - was named the round 16 Rising Star nominee on Tuesday.

It marks another milestone in the 20-year-old New South Welshman's rapid rise.

Gilbert debuted in round eight last year but managed just one more senior game in 2006, despite being named an emergency for the Saints no less than 12 times.

He earned his spot in the injury-riddled St Kilda line-up in round five this season and has not looked back, playing every game since.

In an important win against Hawthorn on Saturday night at Telstra Dome, Gilbert racked up 22 touches and hauled in 12 marks in an impressive display opposed to veteran Hawk Ben Dixon.

Gilbert said his solid run of matches had given him belief.

"It took probably the first 10 games before you do start to feel like you do belong (at AFL level). Now I am starting to feel I do," Gilbert said.

Gilbert's nomination comes just six years after switching from rugby league to the country's indigenous code.

As a junior he played rugby league for the Bilambil Jets following in the footsteps of this family.

A fullback for the Jets, Gilbert threw in his promising rugby league career and took up AFL.

"I started late in Queensland but I feel like I have been playing for ever now."

In 2005 he played in a premiership with Southport in Queensland and came under the radar of AFL recruiters with impressive performances for Queensland at under-21 level.

He also represented the Allies against Victoria before attending the AFL draft camp.

He was St Kilda’s first selection (33rd overall) in the 2005 national draft.

Gilbert is St Kilda’s first nominee since Raphael Clarke in Round 22, 2005.

Looks like a solid young player going to be a top player for st.kilda in the future. Recruited well picking him up
 
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#7
This has been well overdue.

His been great for us this year. Hes been everywhere - wing, defence and up forward. His athleticism and versatility have proven to be great assets for himself and for the saints. hope he continues the good form.
 

sainter

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#8
Now that he's got his most deserved nomination I'll have to find something else to whinge about. :eek:

Credit to Stkildonan who was a big wrap for him pre-season.

I just love the way he approaches his footy. He gets the ball and just wants to run and create. Occassionally he'll look up and realise he's under pressure and have to kick it quickly but that's something he'll get better at.

With his background in Rugby League he's probably starting a bit behind the kids with an AFL background so he's got so much improvement in him and at his height and with his athleticism the sky is the limit. :thumbsu:
 

Persevering Saint

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#10
With his background in Rugby League he's probably starting a bit behind the kids with an AFL background so he's got so much improvement in him and at his height and with his athleticism the sky is the limit. :thumbsu:
I think it's a bit of a glass-half-full. In an interview I read with him, he pointed out that his rugby upbringing means he just instinctively knows how to dodge or shrug a tackle, something that I've absolutely LOVED watching him do all year. I know, I know, it's only one part of his game, but boy, it's cool...!
 

bluejay

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#11
I think it's a bit of a glass-half-full. In an interview I read with him, he pointed out that his rugby upbringing means he just instinctively knows how to dodge or shrug a tackle, something that I've absolutely LOVED watching him do all year. I know, I know, it's only one part of his game, but boy, it's cool...!
I agree, it's so cool... specially since really few players in our list can do that.
 

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