Gehamat Shibasaki is a walking advertisement for never giving up on your dreams and the off-contract Brisbane and Australia centre is adamant he can add more inspirational chapters to a career story that is on the rise.
Shibasaki was a beacon of hope for all players – young and old – when he attended the Queensland Rugby League's season launch of the statewide Hostplus Cup competition on Thursday.
In 2024 Shibasaki finished the season with the Townsville Blackhawks and was given a lifeline for 2025 by Wynnum Manly.
His NRL career appeared to have stalled after playing just 30 games in seven years. Fast forward 12 months and the 27-year-old had won a Broncos contract and an NRL premiership, starred for Queensland on debut in the State of Origin decider and played in all three winning Tests for Australia on an Ashes tour.
Now the powerhouse centre, instead of being on a modest train and trial deal like he was when he arrived at the Broncos, is looking at $500,000-plus per season for his next deal. The Broncos want to keep the man they call "Gem" but there aren't many Test centres on the market so Shibasaki will be a man in demand.
"It is all very humbling. I'll give a big shoutout to Wynnum Manly Seagulls and obviously the Blackhawks as well," Shibasaki said.
"They gave me everything I needed to keep my career alive and the chance to be the best I can be to continue my career. Last year I wanted to pay them back by doing my job for the Broncos."
Shibasaki had a simple message for the players at the launch with NRL hopes and dreams still unrealised, including the likes of talented 22-year-old Blackhawks and PNG outside back Dudley Dotoi.
"Just don't give up too easy," Shibasaki said.
"Stay with it for as long as you can and keep believing in yourself and backing your ability - and obviously work hard - and you will reap the rewards."
Shibasaki is not basking in his 2025 success. He has more to achieve and higher standards to attain.
"I don't want to put a ceiling on it. There is still a lot to learn from last year," he said.
"I am looking forward to continuing the consistency that got me to where I am now, just making myself better each day.
"Last year gave me a lot of confidence, just to say I belong. I have got to keep doing the little things right."
Shibasaki said he was not losing sleep over his contract situation and backed his manager Wayde Rushton to get his future sorted.
"I want to keep myself present and focused on training for what I need to do in round one," he said.
"My manager is sorting all that stuff out. I will let my footy do the talking.
"We have a good group of boys keen to go back-to-back. I will cross that (contract) bridge when it is there."
