He’s a 27-year-old journeyman who wasn’t even expecting to play NRL first-grade in 2025.
But, following his third try double of the season in today’s 26-12 victory over the New Zealand Warriors, Brisbane Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki sits atop of the NRL try-scorers list.
Currently in his second stint with the Queensland glamour club, Shibasaki crossed in the 39th and 75th minutes, taking his season try tally to twelve—double his entire NRL career try tally before 2025.
“Can you believe it?” Dan Ginnane said in commentary for Fox Sports.
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“He wasn’t even expected to be in the Broncos team at the start of the season—now he leads the NRL try scorers.”
“One of the stories of the season,” Michael Ennis agreed.
Shibasaki began his NRL career with Brisbane back in 2018 under Wayne Bennett, before going on to play two seasons with the Knights and single seasons with both the Cowboys and Rabbitohs.
He spent the majority of 2024 playing Queensland Cup for the Townsville Blackhawks, before being offered a train-and-trial with new Broncos coach Michael Maguire for 2025.
“12 months ago, I was back at home working and playing cup footy full-time,” Shibasaki told SEN radio earlier in the season.
“Coming back during the off season, it was more about getting fit and worrying about the (Queensland) cup season, but obviously it worked out really well and Madge liked what I was doing and I’m loving it.”
With the Broncos now on a three-game NRL winning streak, it’s fair to say Brisbane fans are loving it too.