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Englishman Oliver Gildart finally feels like he is part of an NRL side at the Roosters and is ready to make his switch to Bondi a permanent one.
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On-loan Wests Tigers centre Oilver Gildart has only had a glimpse at how the other half live but it’s enough for him to know he wants to stay at Sydney Roosters.
Touted as a key signing for the battling Tigers, Gildart only now feels like his NRL career has started and he is open to an early release to make Bondi his home next season.
The Tigers are under fire for Saturday’s 72-6 loss to the Roosters. And now three players who started the season as Tigers – Gildart (Roosters), Luciano Leilua (Cowboys) and David Nofoaluma (Storm) – are preparing to play in the finals for rival clubs. While Nofoaluma says he “fell in love’’ with rugby league after his loan move to the Storm and Leilua believes he was “flicked’’ because of his relationship with ex-coach Michael Maguire, Gildart’s comments about his move should worry Tigers fans.
“One million per cent, I absolutely love it out here,” Gildart told The Daily Telegraph when asked about switching to the Tricolours next year.
“The standard is really high here and it’s only going to develop me as a player and I feel like I’m settling in a little bit.
“I’m still contracted to the Tigers for next season but I’m not sure how things will work out.
“I have made some great bonds there and it’s hard to not want to go back and give everything with those lads as well and I want to see them succeed.”
Maguire plucked Gildart from Super League club Wigan but the centre’s fall coincided with that of his former coach.
Gildart was languishing in the NSW Cup and felt like the Tigers coaching staff had left him “in the lurch”.
“I was starting week in week out when Madge was there and then I strained my calf before Magic Round and had a few weeks out and by the time I came back Madge was sacked,” Gildart said.
“I didn’t get a look in after that, which was disappointing for me personally.
“There were no real conversations had, I was kind of left in the lurch and didn’t know what was going on. So it was ideal to come out here and get a fresh start here.”
Even new teammate Joey Manu, who has played against Gildart at international level and in a World Club Challenge, was surprised the Englishman was shunted to reserve grade.
“I am surprised actually,” Manu said.
“I have played against him in England, I know how good he is, his attacking ability and we saw that on Saturday with his silky hands. He’s sharp on his feet, can move, he’s quick and always in video trying to get better.”
Gildart has gone from the Tigers, who are likely to claim the wooden spoon, to a club that is contending for the title, and the differences on and off the field have been eye-opening.
“I think since I’ve come to the Roosters, I feel like I’ve arrived in an NRL side now. I feel like my journey started since I got here,” Gildart said fresh off helping the Roosters demolish the Tigers 72-6 on Saturday night.
“There are some great lads at the Tigers, don’t get me wrong, but there are more senior players and more leaders at the Roosters. I’ve been listening to what they’ve been saying and I feel like that’s really improving me as a player.
“I wanted to see what it’s like to compete week in, week out with a team at the top of the NRL.
“I’ve learnt what it takes in terms of training and the intensity and all the small details. I’ve only been here a short time but I feel like I’ve learnt a lot. I can’t really ask for much more.”
The 26-year-old received his Roosters jersey from coach Trent Robinson just days after he demanded selection with five tries for the Bears.
The Test representative is still coming to terms with the move which few saw coming but is grateful for Robinson’s intimate knowledge of the Super League, where the premiership winning coach spent time at the Catalans Dragons.
“It’s a big confidence boost to be noticed by Robbo. I think it helped that he coached in the Super League, so I think he has seen more of my game than most NRL coaches and he was willing to give me that chance and I’ll be forever grateful for that,” Gildart said.
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tigers. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Follow
On-loan Wests Tigers centre Oilver Gildart has only had a glimpse at how the other half live but it’s enough for him to know he wants to stay at Sydney Roosters.
Touted as a key signing for the battling Tigers, Gildart only now feels like his NRL career has started and he is open to an early release to make Bondi his home next season.
The Tigers are under fire for Saturday’s 72-6 loss to the Roosters. And now three players who started the season as Tigers – Gildart (Roosters), Luciano Leilua (Cowboys) and David Nofoaluma (Storm) – are preparing to play in the finals for rival clubs. While Nofoaluma says he “fell in love’’ with rugby league after his loan move to the Storm and Leilua believes he was “flicked’’ because of his relationship with ex-coach Michael Maguire, Gildart’s comments about his move should worry Tigers fans.
“One million per cent, I absolutely love it out here,” Gildart told The Daily Telegraph when asked about switching to the Tricolours next year.
“The standard is really high here and it’s only going to develop me as a player and I feel like I’m settling in a little bit.
“I’m still contracted to the Tigers for next season but I’m not sure how things will work out.
“I have made some great bonds there and it’s hard to not want to go back and give everything with those lads as well and I want to see them succeed.”
Maguire plucked Gildart from Super League club Wigan but the centre’s fall coincided with that of his former coach.
Gildart was languishing in the NSW Cup and felt like the Tigers coaching staff had left him “in the lurch”.
“I was starting week in week out when Madge was there and then I strained my calf before Magic Round and had a few weeks out and by the time I came back Madge was sacked,” Gildart said.
“I didn’t get a look in after that, which was disappointing for me personally.
“There were no real conversations had, I was kind of left in the lurch and didn’t know what was going on. So it was ideal to come out here and get a fresh start here.”
Even new teammate Joey Manu, who has played against Gildart at international level and in a World Club Challenge, was surprised the Englishman was shunted to reserve grade.
“I am surprised actually,” Manu said.
“I have played against him in England, I know how good he is, his attacking ability and we saw that on Saturday with his silky hands. He’s sharp on his feet, can move, he’s quick and always in video trying to get better.”
Gildart has gone from the Tigers, who are likely to claim the wooden spoon, to a club that is contending for the title, and the differences on and off the field have been eye-opening.
“I think since I’ve come to the Roosters, I feel like I’ve arrived in an NRL side now. I feel like my journey started since I got here,” Gildart said fresh off helping the Roosters demolish the Tigers 72-6 on Saturday night.
“There are some great lads at the Tigers, don’t get me wrong, but there are more senior players and more leaders at the Roosters. I’ve been listening to what they’ve been saying and I feel like that’s really improving me as a player.
“I wanted to see what it’s like to compete week in, week out with a team at the top of the NRL.
“I’ve learnt what it takes in terms of training and the intensity and all the small details. I’ve only been here a short time but I feel like I’ve learnt a lot. I can’t really ask for much more.”
The 26-year-old received his Roosters jersey from coach Trent Robinson just days after he demanded selection with five tries for the Bears.
The Test representative is still coming to terms with the move which few saw coming but is grateful for Robinson’s intimate knowledge of the Super League, where the premiership winning coach spent time at the Catalans Dragons.
“It’s a big confidence boost to be noticed by Robbo. I think it helped that he coached in the Super League, so I think he has seen more of my game than most NRL coaches and he was willing to give me that chance and I’ll be forever grateful for that,” Gildart said.
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