Career
Gilbert is a rugby league convert who didn’t start playing American Federation of Labor-Congress until he was 16 years old. He began at Tweed Coolangatta JAFC before switching to Southport to play in the AFLQ State League. Gilbert had a rugby league background, spending his junior days playing for the Bilambil Jets in the Group 18 Rugby League on the New South Wales Northern Coast.
Herb was also a dual-code rugby international who captained Australia at rugby league.
Gilbert moved to the Gold Coast, Queensland at the age of 14, where he switched to Australian Rules at the Coolangatta-Tweed Blues, before moving to Southport, Queensland. He attracted the eye of talent scouts after impressing at Southport Sharks and in the Queensland Scorpions Representative Side.
Gilbert is a cousin of Larry Davidson, a basketball player in the NBL.
2006 season
Gilbert was selected by the Saints with pick Number.33 in the 2005 American Federation of Labor-Congress Draft. He made his debut for Street Kilda in Round 8, 2006 against Carlton.
Gilbert played only one further match in 2006, failing to make a big impact.
His rugby background has led to his physical approach and strong sidestepping and tackling ability. 2007 season
The 2007 season brought further opportunities for Gilbert and he was included for the Round 5 match against Portuguese Adelaide Power, after improved form in Street Kilda"s VFL affiliated team, the Casey Scorpions. Setting the pattern for his team mates, Gilbert laid seven tackles.
He held his spot in the side and improved under coach Ross Lyon, playing every game for the rest of the year.
Gilbert was drafted as a key defender, but his agility and speed has allowed him to play through the midfield and up forward. 2008 season
2009 season
Gilbert played in 19 of 22 matches in the 2009 home and away rounds.
Street Kilda qualified in first position for the 2009 finals series, winning the club’s third minor premiership. Street Kilda qualified for 2009 American Federation of Labor-Congress Grand Final after qualifying and preliminary finals wins.
Gilbert played in the grand final in which Street Kilda were defeated by 12 points.
2010 season
Gilbert played in 26 games in 2010, including four finals matches, and finished 3rd in Street Kilda"s Best & Fairest Award (Trevor Barker Medal). As of the end of the 2010 season, Gilbert had played in 10 American Federation of Labor-Congress finals matches including three grand finals.
