Dolphins enforcer Tom Gilbert is leaning on the example of close mate Reuben Cotter as he targets a round-one return from a ruptured ACL.
Gilbert's former North Queensland and Queensland teammate Cotter famously recovered from back-to-back ACLs to become one of the best forwards in the game.
Gilbert, 24, suffered a season-ending knee injury in a trial in February and because of complications from a blood clot did not have surgery until May.
He had missed most of the previous NRL season with a shoulder injury.
Gilbert has a tailored rehabilitation program in place. There is plenty of work to do to be fit for the March 7 clash with South Sydney, but Gilbert looks back at his ordeal as one that didn't kill him but made him stronger.
"It obviously hasn't been easy and I've had my moments, but I think the one thing that's come out of this is a lot of gratitude and perspective about things as well," Gilbert said.
"Every time I get to go on the field I have a lot of gratitude to be doing what I love the most.
"When it's taken away from you for a while you appreciate the small things. I had a lot of time to reflect ... and I've realised what's important to me and what's important in my football career."
He said the pinnacle was "obviously winning a premiership", but it's small steps.
"For me, getting back on that field and representing this club in the way it wants to be seen, and the type of football I can be proud of, would be the most important thing," Gilbert said.
"I'll be close to round one. It depends on how I'm tracking and the confidence. I'm pretty lucky with the team we've got here, so I have full confidence when the time's right the time will be right."
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has a good headache of where to slot Gilbert into his top 17. His best position is No.13, but Max Plath was player of the year in 2024 while mostly in the lock position.
"Woolfy's sat down with me and we've got a plan. It's not a complicated plan, it's quite simple, but thinking about that is quite far away for me anyhow," Gilbert said.
"I can't wait to play with Max, because I think he's going to make me a better player. I know for a fact I'm not going to walk back into any jersey or this side. I need to work hard and get my football back to Dolphins standard."
Gilbert has drawn on the example of Cotter in the knowledge he is not Robinson Crusoe when it comes to serious injury.
"My good mate Reuben Cotter missed three years of footy, so I've drawn on his strength and a lot of advice from him," he said.
"He's one of those class players who have come back better, so there's no reason why I can't do it.
"He was the first person I called when it happened, and just bouncing ideas off him has been really good for me and my confidence.
"In the off-season I watched the Brisbane Lions win the (AFL) premiership and Will Ashcroft come off his ACL.
"He had a long time off the game, and to win a grand final and be the best player on the field is the pinnacle of sport. That wouldn't have been easy for him, no doubt."
