Herb Gilbert, Jr.

Herb Gilbert, Jr. is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1930s and 40s whose usual position was at hooker. Son of Kangaroo great Herb Gilbert, Herb Junior started playing first grade in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership with the St. George club in 1938. The following year he began representative playing duties for New South Wales. In 1941 Gilbert played alongside his brother Jack in the club's first grand final win. He played in the following year's grand final loss to Canterbury as well, however the outbreak of war then interrupted his football career.

Gilbert later returned to football, moving to the Balmain club for the 1946 season, again representing New South Wales. That year Balmain reached the final against his former club St. George. Gilbert played in a close game, won by Balmain 13 - 12. Tensions of the encounter overflowed after fulltime and the match concluded on an ugly note when Saints forward, Jim Hale went toe to toe with Gilbert. Hale was then attacked by a spectator and an all-in brawl followed. Gilbert went on to feature in the following year's grand final win for the club as well, retiring after the 1948 season.

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