Gilbert worried about Warriors first as Origin recall beckons

Dolphins skipper Tom Gilbert said his side were preparing for a “physical” challenge against the Warriors, in what would also be his last game to press for an Origin recall before Game One teams are named.

Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater will announce his squad for the series opener on Monday morning, with Gilbert tipped to make his return after a nearly two-year injury absence.

Gilbert suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the opening game of the 2023 series, before missing the entire 2024 season with an ACL rupture.

“Yeah, 100% definitely,” Gilbert said when asked if he felt up to the rigours of Origin in his return season.

“I guess I'll find out Monday morning if I've done enough (to earn a recall).

“I know the thing that the Maroons and what Billy wants is people that deserve their spot, so I’ll know that answer … come next week.

“I missed it heaps, obviously in my first year I got injured and didn't get to play out the series, which was a huge goal of mine and to win a series playing all games was (a) massive (goal).

“Then obviously last year I missed all of it and they lost, so that was definitely hard to watch as it was for any Queenslander.

“No doubt if I got the opportunity to do that, I'd take it with two hands and it's my ambition to play for Queensland and win a series with them as a player.

“But the biggest thing I know now is how I play for the Dolphins and worrying about that will contribute to those goals.”

This week, Gilbert was focusing on the imposing task ahead against the Warriors and building on their important win against the Eels at CommBank last round.

With the win, the side got their mojo back after posting back-to-back losses and secured a rare victory on the road after they were forced to fight until the final seconds with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow producing a try-saver on Dylan Brown as the clock ran down.

However, this week’s Suncorp Stadium meeting at home against the second-placed Wahs outfit would be another step up.

“Definitely a big game, they're a great side and they're doing really well in the competition, starts with how physical they play, they're a physical team and they come to play each and every week and they're winning games they should,” Gilbert said.

“For us, one, we need to worry about ourselves and get our prep right and understand we're going to have a physical game this weekend and play a really good side and great challenge and opportunity for us.