Unavailable for the Anzac Day clash against the Brisbane Lions because of a foot injury, Gilbert made his way to the remembrance and hope ceremony at the Wellington Cenotaph at 5:30am.
"It's very special. It's one of those things you're in awe of when you're here and to hear when the guns fire, it sends shivers down your spine," Gilbert said.
"It's great to be a part of it. My grandfather was in Papau New Guinea and he was on the gunners, and my grandmother was a nurse in Perth.
"So there's fair bit of history with the war and it's something that means a lot to me."
Wellington's dawn service honoured both New Zealand and Australian service men and women and Gilbert said it was special to see how the Anzacs were recognised across the Tasman.
It was a service that put Friday night's match into perspective.
"I don't think you can compare football to war," he said.
"It's something that is completely different and what they went they went through, you can't compare what we go through.
"It really puts football and life into perspective."
Gilbert is still in a moon boot as he recovers from a foot injury and will not be available for another four weeks.
Around 2,000 Australians have flown to Wellington for Friday night's game, with a crowd of roughly 18,000 expected to attend.
