He will fly to Ireland in a couple of weeks to take up his two-year playing contract with Irish club Connacht.
The 26-year-old made the announcement back in May when he was the "everyman" for the Highlanders.
He would pop up wherever he was needed, be that fullback, winger, first five or in the midfield.
But it is at fullback where he is most comfortable and at fullback where he has had such a big impact for Otago this season.
Arguably, he has been the best No15 in the competition and there is no argument about his contribution.
You need a safe pair of hands at the back and Gilbert has been that and more.
He has helped Otago win those games of forcing back with his massive right-foot punt and he has been so impressive under all those towering kicks.
When trouble has been brewing, he has been there to diffuse the situation.
The captain has unleashed an impressive running game, too. He has hit the line with pace and run some nice angles to create problems for the defensive line.
So much to talk about, but all anyone wants to do is watch the clips of his drop goal in the tense 44-41 win against Waikato in the quarterfinal.
It has had more than a million views on one site. More people have watched that than the clip of Cameron Millar knocking over a long-range penalty in the 82nd minute to clinch the win.
"That was the first one [I’ve ever scored] to be fair, and I don’t think it was even front of mind or anything," Gilbert said.
"I just sort of looked up, looked at the post, had a bit of time and was like, why not?"
Waikato were just starting to mount a threatening rally and that set them back briefly.
It was a slice of action that got lost in the crush afterwards.
Millar was rightly hailed as the hero for his clutch effort at the death. But Gilbert helped set up that moment with his quick thinking.
It is efforts like that which have helped Otago win their way through to their first NPC final in 20 years.
They will play Canterbury in Christchurch today and Gilbert shapes as a key figure.
His aerial skills will get another thorough test.
Canterbury back their defence and like to kick a lot to win the territory battle.
Gilbert can expect a barrage of box kicks, bombs and touch finders.
He is ready. The whole team is ready.
"I guess Canterbury have been one of the top teams for a long, long time now.
"They’ve set the standard again this year as well. They finished top for a reason, so to go up there, have a crack at them on their home soil in a final, yeah, it’s just a cool opportunity for us as a group."
Otago are full of confidence, having won seven on the trot. One of those wins was an epic 38-36 win against Canterbury to lift the Ranfurly Shield.
From outside the camp, it felt like a turning point in the season when everybody south of the Waitaki River started to believe.
The team caught on a lot earlier.
"We talked a wee bit about belief this year, and I think obviously when you get performances like that, it builds belief.
"But in terms of the group, I think it’s more just what we’ve done on the field. We trust each other, the guys are playing well, and I think that’s the enjoyment factor is that we’re just going to work.
"You look at the guy next year and you know he’s all in. We’re all in."
Gilbert’s partner, Tiffany Hickey, will join him in Ireland. They are looking forward to a change of scene.
But Gilbert suggested he was not done with rugby in New Zealand.
"I’d love to come back to New Zealand at some point. Potentially come back and try and chase 50 games for Otago."
Tomorrow’s final will put him on 41 games. He is also sitting on 99 points.
Another drop goal perhaps?
"Hopefully a try will be on offer, but that would be a nice wee stat to bring up."
