Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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A WEIGHT has been lifted off Matt Gillett’s hard-hitting shoulders and that can only be a good thing for the Broncos.
Gillett is a rare breed of footballer who loses weight in the off-season and reported for training this week after his Four Nations campaign leaner than he did at the end of 2016.
The 28-year-old started last season in sensational form, prompting Broncos legend Gorden Tallis to declare he was “the best forward in the world”.
A shoulder injury slowed him down at the back end of the year and he also carried the burden of an uncertain future for most of the season.
It wasn’t until the second week of the finals that Gillett inked a four-year contract extension that will keep him at Red Hill for the rest of his career.
The Maroons hitman admitted it was a huge relief to have his future sorted and he was ready to spring into Brisbane’s 2017 campaign.
“Securing my future at the Broncos for another four years is a massive relief,” he said.
“I can concentrate on footy and not worry about that sort of stuff in the back of my mind.
“I can look after myself and my footy.
“I think we’ll have another great year. There’s no reason not to.
“We have a great squad and coaching staff on board.
“It really does come down to the players and what they want.”
After their heartbreaking grand final campaign of 2015, the Broncos fell short of snapping their 10-year title drought when they were bundled out of the finals by the Cowboys in another epic derby.
The Broncos have held a similar squad together since Wayne Bennett’s return in 2015 and are expected to be contenders again this year — if they can keep their players on the park.
“We were lucky to go through that year (2015) with the same squad and players on the field every week,” Gillett said.
“Last year we struggled to keep players on the field and missed key players.
“That happens to every club. If we can do the right things to stay fit and healthy it will go a long way to helping us.
“That (premiership) window is open. Every team has that in their mind, to be there in the last week of the competition.
“That’s no different for us.”
Centre Tom Opacic and utility Kodi Nikorima are the only notable Broncos on restricted training duties as they recover from shoulder injuries.
http://www.themercury.com.au/sport/...6/news-story/86771e31695c08297cfe464ab4ae2255
Gillett is a rare breed of footballer who loses weight in the off-season and reported for training this week after his Four Nations campaign leaner than he did at the end of 2016.
The 28-year-old started last season in sensational form, prompting Broncos legend Gorden Tallis to declare he was “the best forward in the world”.
A shoulder injury slowed him down at the back end of the year and he also carried the burden of an uncertain future for most of the season.
It wasn’t until the second week of the finals that Gillett inked a four-year contract extension that will keep him at Red Hill for the rest of his career.
The Maroons hitman admitted it was a huge relief to have his future sorted and he was ready to spring into Brisbane’s 2017 campaign.
“Securing my future at the Broncos for another four years is a massive relief,” he said.
“I can concentrate on footy and not worry about that sort of stuff in the back of my mind.
“I can look after myself and my footy.
“I think we’ll have another great year. There’s no reason not to.
“We have a great squad and coaching staff on board.
“It really does come down to the players and what they want.”
After their heartbreaking grand final campaign of 2015, the Broncos fell short of snapping their 10-year title drought when they were bundled out of the finals by the Cowboys in another epic derby.
The Broncos have held a similar squad together since Wayne Bennett’s return in 2015 and are expected to be contenders again this year — if they can keep their players on the park.
“We were lucky to go through that year (2015) with the same squad and players on the field every week,” Gillett said.
“Last year we struggled to keep players on the field and missed key players.
“That happens to every club. If we can do the right things to stay fit and healthy it will go a long way to helping us.
“That (premiership) window is open. Every team has that in their mind, to be there in the last week of the competition.
“That’s no different for us.”
Centre Tom Opacic and utility Kodi Nikorima are the only notable Broncos on restricted training duties as they recover from shoulder injuries.
http://www.themercury.com.au/sport/...6/news-story/86771e31695c08297cfe464ab4ae2255
