He played as a fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker, although due to his versatility, he was able to slip into the positions of centre and lock when needed throughout his career.

[4] Having won the 2001 NRL Premiership, the Knights travelled to England to play the 2002 World Club Challenge against Super League champions, the Bradford Bulls.

In round 10 of the 2004 NRL season Gidley made history when he won the Knights' first ever golden point match by kicking the winning field goal after 3 minutes and 26 seconds of extra time.

In the final round of the 2007 season,[citation needed] with scores level at 24–24, he kicked a penalty goal 12 seconds before full-time to give the Knights a 26–24 victory over the Wests Tigers (who needed to win to book a finals spot), which also ended a 7 match losing streak and allowed Newcastle to avoid the wooden spoon.

He was then selected in the 2008 State of Origin series shortly after a fractured cheekbone Gidley was the stand-out player at the club in the 2008 season as they finished ninth on the NRL ladder with 12 wins and 12 losses.

Regarded as one of the best utility players in the game, Gidley was also appointed captain of the Knights for the next season, replacing England-bound hooker and club legend Danny Buderus.

[9] In May 2009, he was named as captain and fullback to represent New South Wales in the opening State of Origin match on 3 June 2009, in Melbourne.

On 7 November, Gidley was chosen on the interchange bench for the Four Nations final played in Leeds in which the Kangaroos thrashed England 46–16.

On 7 May, 28 minutes into the Test match, starting Australian hooker Cameron Smith came off the field with a shoulder injury, which led to Gidley coming on and playing dummy half for the rest of the game.

During a team bonding session on 10 June 2010 Gidley's ex teammate and friend Andrew Johns who at the time was the NSW assistant coach caused controversy when it emerged that he had encouraged a player to attack Queensland player Greg Inglis, referring to him as a "black cunt".

Just before half-time, Gidley set up an inside pass for second-row Paul Gallen to crash over the try line for New South Wales first try of the game.

He played the whole 2nd half of the final in the centres due to a knee injury to teammate Brent Tate.

[15] On his Super League début for the Wolves, Gidley converted 2 goals in a man of the match performance against 2015 champions the Leeds Rhinos.