Gehamat Shibasaki’s rise to the pinnacle of Rugby League is as unique as it is unlikely.
The prodigious outside back from Townsville couldn’t have hoped for a better start to his career, though his road to a game III decider in Sydney wasn’t as straightforward as he may have hoped.
Speaking directly about the Maroons debutant, head coach Billy Slater lauded the determination and discipline showed by Shibasaki throughout his playing career.
“The individuals in this team give our state inspiration – and Gehamat’s story is a true inspiration.” Said Slater.
“He was playing Hostplus Cup in Townsville not long ago, and the rise of his game in the last 6 months has been exceptional. I told him that you need two things to play for Queensland. The first is that you need to be capable – you need to have the right habits in your game, and you need the opportunity to be put front of you. Those two things have presented themselves; it’ll be a dream come true for the young lad from Townsville.”
Having first donned the Maroon (and Gold) for the Brisbane Broncos in their 2016 NYC squad, Shibasaki would line-up amongst FOGs Jaydan Su’a and Corey Allan.
After impressing at centre in the NYC, the then 18-year-old represented his state in the Under 20s State of Origin.
Shibasaki would ultimately be selected for this side in three consecutive seasons, with the path towards NRL stardom seemingly preordained.
However, this path would prove to be anything but linear, with Shibasaki learning many lessons along the way.
“(I am) just focusing on my own role and what's important at that current moment – that's all I can control," said Shibasaki.
“I can't control anyone else's decision, so that's another big thing I learnt in the pre-season; doing things that I can control and that's preparing me best for whenever we play.”
After debuting for the Broncos NRL side in 2018, the highly touted Shibasaki would go on to play 13 games for his debut club, failing to score in any of his appearances.
His final match for the Broncos ended in disastrous fashion – losing 58-nil against the Paramatta Eels in the first week of finals.
Finishing his Broncos campaign on a sour note, Shibasaki would make the move to Newcastle, failing to make a substantial impression, he was released the very next season after being overlooked for their 2020 finals campaign.
After a short stint playing rugby union in Japan for the Tokatsu Green Rockets, Shibasaki returned to his hometown, though he was ultimately released by the North Queensland Cowboys that very same year.
Still living in Townsville, Shibasaki would represent his boyhood club, the Townsville Blackhawks in the Hostplus Cup – a far cry from where the three-time Queensland U20s representative was expected to be in the prime of his career.
Despite Shibasaki saying he was content in this position, working full-time and playing football on the weekends, he later conceded he was at the lowest point in his footballing career.
But it was a chat with Broncos and Maroons enforcer Patrick Carrigan which reignited the passion within him.
“I was pretty happy with just working and playing footy up there at the Blackhawks, the pressure of being in the NRL; I didn't really feel like going through that again,” Shibasaki said.
“But then some of the boys; Patty and that came to Townsville to play the Cowboys, and I had a yarn to them and that just lit the fire again and I felt ‘oh I need to get back into it.’”
After accepting a deal with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, which allowed Shibasaki to train with the Broncos during preseason, the challenges of first grade were initially too much to handle.
“That first day, I got sent from the field because I was unfit… I got sent because I couldn't finish the session and then that made the pre-season from November to Chrissy even longer,” Shibasaki noted.
Despite the initial struggles, Shibasaki would get a Round 1 start for the Broncos, holding his spot throughout the early season despite the likes of Deine Mariner and Josiah Karapani being available for selection in reserve grade.
From there, Shibasaki never looked back.
In 15 games this season, Shibasaki has scored 12 tries and has averaged almost 150 metre run metres per game, asserting himself as one of the premiere centres of the 2025 NRL season.
Shibasaki’s form has been too good for Slater to overlook, as the centre prepares to go head-to-head with Latrell Mitchell or Stephen Crichton next Wednesday.
“I'm prepared, I've worked hard through the pre-season and I'm prepared,” Shibasaki said.
“To come back to the NRL – Madge just said to me ‘if you prep well, if an opportunity arises, then you'll be ready’.
“I feel like I'm prepared… from my pre-season, I did a lot of hard work, so I feel like I'm ready.”
The tribulations overcome by Shibasaki have also left a mark on his former mentors.
His coach at the Townsville Blackhawks in 2024, Terry Campese, is overjoyed with the success of his former strike centre.
“We couldn't be prouder of Gehamat and everything he's achieved this season, his selection for Queensland is a testament to his resilience, work ethic, and determination,” Said Campese.
“We had the privilege to work with Gehm last year and we were able to watch him grow as a footballer.
“He was always humble and always willing to learn. He’s earned this moment, and I know he’ll make the most of it.
“This is the reason we love coaching, to see young men chase their dreams and get rewarded for their efforts.”
Now the current coach of the Norths Devils Hostplus Cup side, Rohan Smith’s last stint with the Devils was in 2018, where he was able to coach the then prodigious Shibasaki.
“Gehamat was always a talented player, and he was just a great young man to have in our club,” said Smith.
“He came to the Devils as a team player. He put the team first and that was always impressive.
“Sometimes players need the journey to reach their potential. Gehamat has been on that journey, and he’s been rewarded.”
Though Shibasaki has now arrived at the destination many expected he would as such a talented young player, his journey has proved that in Rugby League, you always make your own luck.
