Broncos face battle to keep Maroons forward Matt Gillett
BRONCOS chief executive Paul White admits the club faces a battle to retain in-form Maroons forward Matt Gillett, who is among the top five talents on the open market.
Gillett has played 12 games for Queensland and one Test for Australia has started the season on fire, perfect timing for a player whose contract ends this season.
With Cooper Cronk set to re-sign with Melbourne, Gillett and Cowboys prop James Tamou are the best established representative players on the open market. It is a relatively soft year for off-contract players and Sydney clubs have already contacted Gillett’s management.
White admitted ahead of their grand final replay with North Queensland that rival clubs would be chasing Gillett whose value has rocketed upwards since he last signed a deal in 2013.
“He has started the year great and we will work really hard with Matt and his management to see if we can keep him at the club,” White said.
“There are no shortage of suitors for players at our club and Matt will have those same opportunities as well but we hope to keep him."
“It is a constant challenge. Anyone who follows professional sport knows that contracts are always in balance."
“I had the privilege of coaching Matt as a 17-year-old, he played on the wing for me in a Brisbane under-17 team and had peroxided hair at the time."
“He’s been a part of this club for a long time and is very popular with the players and members.”
The Broncos are also trying to re-sign captain Corey Parker, who will not play against Brisbane, interchange utility Kodi Nikorima as well as a host of younger players.
