With Maroons forward Pat Carrigan out of game two in Melbourne with injury, a spot has opened up that Gilbert could fill with another strong performance away to North Queensland on Sunday.
"I always want to play for Queensland. I have always been vocal about it and it has been one of the driving reasons why I keep turning up each day and keep coming back from injuries," Gilbert said.
The Dolphins co-captain was left out of the Maroons side that lost 22-20 in the opening State of Origin clash in Sydney.
"I was disappointed not to play and get picked but the more I reflected on it the more I realised there were probably too many errors in my game," Gilbert said.
"Errors are a part of footy, but mine were in crucial times."
The fiery edge/middle forward has made just two mistakes in his last four games, all wins for the Dolphins, to put him on the right track as he prepares to play his 12th NRL game of the season in a row.
"I have been really happy with last four weeks and the consistency around that and minimising those errors," he said.
"My confidence in my football ability makes me confident that ... I will be there in a Maroons jersey eventually.
"This weekend will be the most games of footy I have played in a season in four years.
"I probably needed a realisation of how I am going to get back to my best footy. I'm lucky I have had really good discussions with my coaches and my role coming off the bench now really helps me"
Gilbert played two Origin games in 2022 and 2023, winning them both, before three season-ending injuries wiped him out of contention for eight Origin matches.
Flegler returned to the Queensland side at Accor Stadium after a three-year absence, following almost two years on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.
"It is inspirational because he could have easily gone away from footy but chose to stick it out and take a tougher route," Gilbert said.
"For someone like that to get the reward after a long journey back, I can only imagine what that feeling and emotion is like. It is something I would love to have one day.
"It would be emotional. It would be everything."
Gilbert is held in high regard by Maroons selectors and is in contention to  replace Carrigan.
"Things like that do cross your mind but I have just got to worry about myself. If I can play my best and minimise the errors I can potentially be in the frame," he said.
Gilbert's barnstorming Dolphins teammate Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who was the Maroons' 20th man in game one, is a red-hot chance of being included after his powerhouse back-row displays.
"I know Kuli is chomping at the bit," Gilbert said.
"He talks about what he is learning in the camps and that is a huge bonus for his development and us as a group. I know if he gets that chance he will be running hard."
15°C