Experienced St Kilda defender Sam Gilbert has been awarded the Robert Harvey Best Clubman Award at Thursday night’s Trevor Barker Award.
This esteemed prize is awarded to a player for not only how they go about their business on the ground, but for their approach Monday to Friday with their teammates and the greater community.
Gilbert, 30, played every game in 2016, across a variety of roles, through the midfield, up forward, but predominantly down back where he has played across his 179-game career.
The Queenslander played a prominent role in the AFL’s inaugural Pride Game across a number of months and is involved in a range of activities through the clubs community department.
St Kilda Assistant Coach Rohan Welsh revealed that Gilbert is a selfless teammate who has a strong relationship with players and staff of all ages, citing an example late in the season when he headed into hospital in the early hours to relieve Player Welfare Manager, Tony Brown, allowing him to head home to his young family.
“He’s a conduit between the young and the old at the club. He’s got a great rapport with everyone across the club, from players and coaches to all staff,” Welsh told saints.com.au.
“One thing that springs to mind is when Fisher got knocked out against Sydney and Tony Brown was in the hospital with him waiting to drive him home when he was ready to be discharged, Gilbo jumped in the car and went in and relieved ‘Browny’.
“He let him drive back to his home in Barwon Heads and his family and waited for ‘Chips’. So it’s just one example of what he does. He does plenty for the club and is a really quality person.”
On the ground, Gilbert played a variety of roles in 2016; whatever role Alan Richardson needed him to execute he performed. The experienced campaigner started in the midfield before returning to his natural habitat in defence.
“He played the first half of the year in the midfield and then came back to defence in the latter part of the year. Because he is so versatile we use him to plug holes where we need to,” Welsh said.
“He’s shown that he can play anywhere; his versatility is really important for us. Alongside the likes of Dempster, Roberton, Fisher, Geary, his ability to be able to play on a tall or a small is really advantageous for us.”
Robert Harvey Best Clubman Award
The Robert Harvey Best Clubman award is awarded to a player who underpins the club’s values both on and off the field. This player has displayed a willingness to help out team mates and the greater community by his willingness to put the club first and do the right thing at all times.
