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“The depth that we have is crazy, so to be honest, I’ve got no idea – I could be playing in the centres, for all I know.”
While the Dolphins have a plethora of options to cover Gilbert’s loss, his influence on the team will no doubt make for a more challenging task than simply having someone wear the colours.
Ray Stone made 29 tackles for just two misses in the Dolphins’ loss to the Warriors.Credit: Getty
The NRL’s newest outfit were thriving before the Maroons forward’s injury, sitting just two competition points off the top of the table before winning just two more matches from that point.
There was plenty of fanfare surrounding the looming union of Gilbert and fellow firebrand Flegler when the latter inked a four-year deal at Redcliffe, and the former’s latest setback may ensure his teammate’s rise to pack leader will be accelerated.
Flegler produced big minutes in the defeat to New Zealand, running for 133 metres while making 31 tackles, having made the move in a bid to establish himself as the go-to enforcer.
But Wallace was adamant the burden of Gilbert’s plight could not solely fall on Flegler’s shoulders.
Thomas Flegler in the Dolphins’ second trial against the New Zealand Warriors.Credit: Shane Wenzlick/Getty Images
“He did play some big minutes on the weekend, but the good thing is any of our middles can play big minutes if they need to,” Wallace said.
“It’s not going to all come down on one player’s shoulders to play bigger minutes. Everyone will pick up the slack while we’re missing Tommy.
“He [Gilbert] is such a big part of our team, he’s a big voice ... but we’ve seen what he did last year when he came back from that injury – he came back bigger and stronger.
“To be honest, he’s one of the most mentally strong hardworking players I’ve ever been with in a side.
“I know that coming back from something like this it’s going to be soul crushing for a week or so, but he’ll be back, and he’ll be ready to go next year.”