Gehamat’s happy return to Townsville

BY VELMA GARA

North Queensland Cowboys star Gehamat Shibasaki says he is happy to be back in Townsville and will be making the most of it.

Given a one-year contract with the Cowboys, Shibasaki will continue to play in his preferred position of centre, but understood he needed to be versatile.

“My main position is centre but I would like to develop into winger and full back roles,” he said.

His approach to the one-year contract was to continue to train with the top squad, play in the Queensland Cup with Townsville Blackhawks and be ready for the call up if any injuries occur.

He spent five years away from North Queensland playing for Brisbane Broncos (2018 –2019) and Newcastle Knights (2020 – 2021) in the National Rugby League.

He also had an opportunity to play rugby union in Japan for the Green Rockets Tokatsu in Abiko, Chiba in 2022.

“It was an eye-opening experience to travel and live in a different country for eight months,” he said.

When his rugby season finished early, Shibasaki returned to Australia and rugby league – playing with the Mackay Cutters.

Whilst there, he was approached to attend the Cowboys pre-season training at end of 2022.

He already had a taste for playing first grade when he was named in the Cowboys team to play a pre-season trial game against the new team in the competition, the Redcliffe Dolphins, in Cairns last month.

The trial game ended in a 22-22 draw.

“Good for the hit out,” he said.

“Big pre-season training with fitness and weights, it was a chance to test ourselves where we’re at and tidy up some things in our game.”

The 25 year old felt it was crucial to be back on home soil and good for his game.

“Head feels good and back where I needed to be, to re-set and go again, he said.

“My main goal is to do well in my footy and training.”

North Queensland Cowboys will open their 2023 NRL season at home on Saturday afternoon against the Canberra Raiders at the Queensland Bank Stadium.