The defender was injured for the vast majority of the season, playing just six games as he battled to overcome a foot injury that also hampered his 2013 campaign.
Senior Coach Alan Richardson paid tribute to Gilbert, telling SAINTS.com.au that the defender is “an incredibly worthy winner of the Robert Harvey Best Clubman Award”.
“Sammy had a very frustrating year,” he said.
“Instead of feeling sorry for himself and giving very little to the group, completely the opposite was the case.
“He would go out of his way to help others, have a significant input into line meetings and team meetings and he’s second to none in doing whatever’s asked of him outside of the footy department.
“If he needs to go and visit a sick child in hospital or go to a primary school, he’s the first one there.”
Gilbert’s list of community engagement initiatives this year is extensive, they include:
PRIDE MARCH & AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY
• Sam took part in the annual Pride March in St Kilda in February this year to push the message that discrimination has no place in sport. He is also backing a campaign for Australian Marriage Equality, putting his name to the reform.
ANZAC DAY WELLINGTON
• Sam attended our Anzac Day game in Wellington as an injured player to assist with community and promotional activities.
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GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL
• Sam attended the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.AUSKICK
• Sam attended all school visits and Auskick clinics and conducted himself and the club extremely well at all events in going above and beyond on many occasions staying longer than expected.
CANCER COUNCIL
• Sam raised over $12,000 for the Cancer Council by shaving his head earlier this year.
COACHING
• Sam assisted/coached the Under 14 Hampton Girls Football team each week at training and game day when he could throughout 2013.
OTHER
• Sam supports a 12-year-old boy with Leukaemia and sits with him at the footy now and then when he is not playing.
• Sam attended Sebastopol Football Club to assist with some coaching and other activities.
