Gilbert to debut for Cowboys

Gilbert to debut for Cowboys

NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD forward Tom Gilbert has been named to make his NRL debut for the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys in Saturday night’s clash with the Cronulla Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

Gilbert, a product of the Cowboys Academies Program, joined North Queensland’s NRL squad in 2019 and was named Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year and Lock of the Year as an 18-year-old.

A hard-working middle forward, Gilbert first signed with North Queensland as a 15-year-old and has spent the previous two seasons playing for Cowboys feeder club Townsville Blackhawks.

Club stalwart Gavin Cooper returns to the side after missing the victory over the Titans with a calf complaint.

Cooper and Gilbert will both start from the interchange.

Jason Taumalolo will miss the Sharks showdown due to a knee injury, with Josh McGuire moving to lock and Francis Molo promoted to the starting side to partner skipper Jordan McLean in the front row.

Saturday night’s game kicks off at 7.35pm. Team List 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Esan Marsters 5. Ben Hampton 6. Scott Drinkwater 7. Jake Clifford 8. Francis Molo 9. Jake Granville 10. Fordan McLean 11. Mitch Dunn 12. Coen Hess 13. Josh McGuire 14. Reece Robson 15. John Asiata 16. Tom Gilbert 17. Gavin Cooper 18. Corey Jensen 19. Shane Wright 20. Tom Opacic 21. Reuben Cotter

Broncos looking to youth

THE Broncos’ Ministry of Youth continues to grow strength, with 20-year-old Herbie Farnworth and Ethan Bullemor promoted to the starting side, and teenager Tesi Niu confirmed to debut off the bench for Thursday night’s clash with the Sydney Roosters.

Niu, an 18-year-old outside back from Marsden State High School with electric speed and footwork, will become the 10th player to debut for the Broncos since Anthony Seibold began as coach last year.

Winger Farnworth (5 NRL games) and backrower Bullemor (2 NRL games) were among those 10 players to earn their NRL stripes under Seibold in the past year, and he has no hesitation in backing them to get the job done against the two-time defending Premiers.

Bullemor takes the place of unlucky Captain Alex Glenn who suffered a deep cut to his calf against the Eels that required surgery, while Farnworth moves onto the wing as Jesse Arthars shifts into the centres in place of the suspended Kotoni Staggs.

“This weekend is about focusing on us … we’ve got some players that I have great belief in but they are at the very beginning of their careers,” said Seibold.

Halfback Brodie Croft and lock Pat Carrigan have been named to co-captain the team in the absence of Glenn – the pair having led the Broncos to wins in the opening two games of the season against the Cowboys and Rabbitohs.

Team List 1. Jamayne Isaako 2. Corey Oates 3. Jesse Arthars 4. Darius Boyd 5. Herbie Farnworth 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. Anthony Milford Brodie Croft Thomas Flegler Jake Turpin Payne Haas Ethan Bullemor Jamil Hopoate Patrick Carrigan Tesi Niu Joe Ofahengaue Rhys Kennedy Matthew Lodge Corey Paix Xavier Coates Tom Dearden Pride Petterson-Rabati