Parker endorses Queensland Origin representative to captain Dolphins in 2025

Queensland legend Corey Parker has endorsed Tom Gilbert to captain the Dolphins next season.

Former skipper Jesse Bromwich retired at the end of 2024 after 338 NRL games, leaving a vacant captaincy role for new coach Kristian Woolf to fill as the 2025 season draws nearer.

Gilbert missed the entire 2024 season after suffering an ACL injury in a pre-season trial, however, Parker has still thrown his support behind the two-time Queensland Origin representative.

“He is an extremely great leader,” Parker said on Pat and Heals.

“I had the pleasure of coaching Tom Gilbert in the Queensland 18s a number of years ago. He has some great leadership qualities, aside from his playing ability, he just doesn’t know any other way but to compete hard.

“They’re yet to decide on a captain for that club, obviously Kristian Woolf new coach, I think Tom Gilbert fits that mould.”

Gilbert’s 2023 season also ended prematurely after he suffered a dislocated shoulder during that year’s Origin series opener. The pre-season ACL injury means that, should Gilbert return in time for Round 1, it will have taken 18 months for the former Cowboy to return to the field.

Nonetheless, Parker, a former Brisbane Broncos captain, thinks the 24-year-old is the ideal choice to lead the NRL’s youngest club.

“He’s had a long time on the sideline recovering from that injury,” Parker remarked.

“He’s been knuckling down to try to do everything he can (to return). Whether he makes round 1 I’m not sure but I’d expect him to have the C beside his name.”

The Dolphins take on the Rabbitohs in Round 1 of the 2025 season, going up against former coach Wayne Bennett in his return to South Sydney having coached The Dolphins through their inaugural years.