Oliver Gildart has agreed to join the WestsTigers

[BAGNF05]

Hoping Oli and Hastings bring that bit of banter and jocularity that is famous in England. I think our group lacks a bit of that, ala Liam Fulton during our better years. That stuff is more important in footy clubs than gets talked about. See also Jimmy Maloney.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I wonder if it’s the first time Gildart has been here.

 

[TillLindemann]

Welcome to your new home Oli! Rip in.

 

[Don Kershane]

The one game I saw him he copped one on the beak and showed a bit of fire in chasing down the culprit in ensuing tackles.

 

[jrtiger]

the 2017/18 Oliver Gildart could've been anything. the 2021 Oliver Gildart is a long way away from that. needs to play consistent footy and have a decent pre-season and get back to his best. if he does that he'll be a welcome addition.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

From Wigan to Wests Tigers ✈️
Welcome, Oliver Gildart!
Lessgoo 🔥🔥




 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

Get to know Oliver Gildart!
Mon 8 Nov 2021


****Welcome to Wests Tigers — how has the past couple of weeks been?**

It’s crazy to be here. The boys and all of the staff have been really welcoming since I’ve arrived. I really can’t wait to get going. I’m looking forward to getting to know all the boys. It’s been a pretty crazy two weeks — it’s all happened pretty fast. I got the message that I’d be flying in 10 days, so I packed up my life and here I am. The flight wasn’t too bad … the only bad thing was I brought the bad weather with me.

**How excited are you to play in the NRL?**

It’s always been my dream to play in the NRL. I was handed the opportunity to come and represent this great club — I jumped at the opportunity. I’ve watched this club for a long time now. Gareth Ellis — another Englishman — was very successful here and hopefully I can also make my own history here. I’ve played against Gareth in the Super League. My old man and his old man are good friends. I know the kind of player he is from playing against him. I’ve seen what he’s done here, winning multiple player of the year awards, he’s loved over here. It’s great to see English guys in the NRL.

**Did you grow up watching the NRL?**

I used to watch it all the time. I used to love watching Benji Marshall — a Wests Tigers legend — I used to sit back in England and watch his highlights. I‘ve watched NRL since being a young kid. The time zone makes it hard to watch all the games, but I was always watching the highlights and absolutely love it.

**What are your goals for season 2022?**

The goal is to get a starting spot and then perform as best as I can — do my job for the team. The top 8 is something Wests Tigers haven’t made for a few years, but that would be awesome to achieve.

**How much are you looking forward to playing under coach Michael Maguire?**

Madge came to Wigan and transformed them into a winning side. I was a bit young, so he didn’t coach me, but he put the system in place, which fed through to the academy, which has helped me into the player I am today. I know what Madge is about and I’m looking forward to getting to know him, and hopefully he can improve me as a player.

**Away from footy, what are some things you want to do while in Australia?**

The country is obviously unbelievable — there’s a big list of things I’d like to do. Back home, I’m big into my fishing, so I’d love to do a bit of sea fishing here. I’d love to see some things I don’t get to see back in England.

 

[Tiger5150]

Best of luck to him. Not exactly an imposing figure physically.

 

[cktiger]

Best of luck to him. Not exactly an imposing figure physically.

You mean like Joey Leilua?
At least he sounds like he’s prepared to have a go.

 

[Tiger5150]

Best of luck to him. Not exactly an imposing figure physically.

You mean like Joey Leilua?
At least he sounds like he’s prepared to have a go.

Yeah or Katoni Staggs, Lemuelu, Waqa Blake, Niukore, Bradman Best, Hymel Hunt, Stephen Crichton, Seb Kris, Joseph Manu, Olam, ....these are the size of the guys he is going to "have a go" against. He is tiny for a modern centre. Typically if you are that small you want to be bloody fast.

Before I am accused of deathriding him ....I genuinely hope he is a revelation for us, the next Andy Currier......I dont see how though.

 

[TillLindemann]

Best of luck to him. Not exactly an imposing figure physically.

You mean like Joey Leilua?
At least he sounds like he’s prepared to have a go.

Yeah or Katoni Staggs, Lemuelu, Waqa Blake, Niukore, Bradman Best, Hymel Hunt, Stephen Crichton, Seb Kris, Joseph Manu, Olam, ....these are the size of the guys he is going to "have a go" against. He is tiny for a modern centre. Typically if you are that small you want to be bloody fast.

Before I am accused of deathriding him ....I genuinely hope he is a revelation for us, the next Andy Currier......I dont see how though.

He comes up against just as big opposition over there. He may not be that nuggety at the moment, but he's taller than Olam, so he's not exactly a midget.

His attitude is 180 degrees from BJ Leilua, so he'll at least give it a good crack.

 

[Fraze23]

I think he'll surprise a few. Best of luck to the lad.

 

[The_Patriot]

Mentality is all that matters to me. We want players who try as hard as they can and play to their potential.

He hasnt stepped foot on the field yet some hate him already. Like Hastings.

Looking forward to see Gildart have a crack.

 

[Geo]

Where is Oliver’s CAKE..

 

[ConePuncher]

The game is full of players who are "not big enough" but do their job well. Given his history of England selection we should be giving him a chance before we write him off as hopeless. Unsurprising that there are so many naysayers who have not watched a minute of him playing, goes to show the fickle nature of rugby league fans.

Best of luck to him, I hope he gets some early ball and can show off his speed and ability to put the winger over.

 

[Tiger5150]

Mentality is all that matters to me. We want players who try as hard as they can and play to their potential.

He hasnt stepped foot on the field yet ***some hate him already***. Like Hastings.

Looking forward to see Gildart have a crack.

Dont start this rubbish again Patriot. Nobody has any hate towards him, I've not seen anyone say anything hateful. I said he looks small for a modern centre but still hope he succeeds. No need to make up false narratives, Im going to nip it in the bud here.

 

[Tiger5150]

The game is full of players who are "not big enough" but do their job well. Given his history of England selection we should be giving him a chance before we write him off as hopeless. Unsurprising that there are ***so many naysayers*** who have not watched a minute of him playing, goes to show the fickle nature of rugby league fans.

Best of luck to him, I hope he gets some early ball and can show off his speed and ability to put the winger over.

ISnt it possible to express a concern about a player? Does everything have to be unicorns and rainbows? I said he is not big and Im worried about that. I said the same thing about Brendon Tumeth.

Cant we just discuss players without making up false narratives?

 

[gregjm87]

I've heard "the club is trying to put some weight on him" a couple times. How much bigger can he get in one preseason? He's not actually small, just comparatively slight. I dont think say 6 additional kilograms would be unrealistic which would get him to about 91-92kg. This would put him similar in weight to Gagai and Olam, and only a few kilograms below an average NRL centre.

 

[ConePuncher]

The game is full of players who are "not big enough" but do their job well. Given his history of England selection we should be giving him a chance before we write him off as hopeless. Unsurprising that there are ***so many naysayers*** who have not watched a minute of him playing, goes to show the fickle nature of rugby league fans.

Best of luck to him, I hope he gets some early ball and can show off his speed and ability to put the winger over.

ISnt it possible to express a concern about a player? Does everything have to be unicorns and rainbows? I said he is not big and Im worried about that. I said the same thing about Brendon Tumeth.

Cant we just discuss players without making up false narratives?

That wasn't directed at you personally, no need to feel victimised.

There has been a false narrative pushed that he'll be garbage in the NRL. It's a false narrative because no-one here has any way of knowing that. I'm not asking for us all to start singing his praises, but being realistic about how skill level and playing ability based in precident from past seasons in England would be to be somewhat optimistic, not completely writing him off.

 

[Newtown]

Best of luck to him. Not exactly an imposing figure physically.

You mean like Joey Leilua?
At least he sounds like he’s prepared to have a go.

Yeah or Katoni Staggs, Lemuelu, Waqa Blake, Niukore, Bradman Best, Hymel Hunt, Stephen Crichton, Seb Kris, Joseph Manu, Olam, ....these are the size of the guys he is going to "have a go" against. He is tiny for a modern centre. Typically if you are that small you want to be bloody fast.

Before I am accused of deathriding him ....I genuinely hope he is a revelation for us, the next Andy Currier......I dont see how though.

The club needs speed and gildart provides that. What the team needs is a good defensive centre to complement him.