LIKE fellow defender Sam Fisher and forward Beau Maister, a large portion of Gilbert’s season was spent on the sidelines with a long-term injury.
He played the first five rounds of the year before hyper-extending his leg in St Kilda’s hard-fought loss to Collingwood in round six.
The 27-year-old returned for the Saints round 21 game against Sydney and immediately slotted into the back six, providing valuable experience and poise against the likes of Kurt Tippett and Sam Reid.
Gilbert finished off the year well, collecting 25 disposals against Gold Coast and an additional 21 versus Fremantle to further exemplify his importance to St Kilda’s structure.
RELATED: Know your number: Sam Gilbert
Backline coach Danny Sexton:
“Sam played nine games including the first six of the year before he hurt his knee. He finished off as one of our better players in the last three weeks.
He missed 15 games and didn’t play any games in the VFL before the Sydney game, so his recovery and diligence was excellent while injured and he slotted straight back in.”
comments powered by Disqus Saints in review today: Sam Gilbert, Jack Newnes, Spencer White
Saints in review tomorrow: Dylan Roberton, Cameron Shenton, David Armitage
You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32
