Exciting teenage middle forward Tom Gilbert has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys, which runs through the end of the 2022 season.

Winner of the 2019 Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year and Lock of the Year as well as Townsville Blackhawks Player of the Year, Gilbert enjoyed a sensational first season of senior football.

Despite not turning 19 until late in the season, he ranked inside the top 10 in the competition for both running metres (third) and tackles (seventh).

A product of the Cowboys Academy Program, Gilbert also represented both the Queensland Residents and Queensland under 20s sides in 2019.

The best of Tom Gilbert from 2019. #ridemcowboys Posted by North Queensland Toyota Cowboys on Tuesday, 8 October 2019

The workhorse lock graduates to the Cowboys’ top 30 in 2020 and will look to push for an NRL debut after being included in Paul Green’s weekly 21-man squad a number of times late in the 2019 season.

“There isn’t many 18-year-olds who can play in the middle of the field for long periods of time at Queensland Cup level like Tom did this year,” Cowboys Director of Football Peter Parr said.

“When you’re looking at what a player brings off the field with personality and behaviour, Tom is at the top of the tree. Those attributes will ensure he will make it to NRL level and when he does, I’m sure he will be at that level for a long period of time.

“Tom had a very special year for someone so young and to be able to extend his contract is something everybody at our club is extremely excited about.”