GCBRONCO
International Captain
- Mar 4, 2008
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HE WAS signed to the Broncos as a potential replacement for Karmichael Hunt and four years later Matt Gillett says a licence to be creative again has led to career-best form.
Gillett leads all NRL forwards for tries this year, with four in seven games, and his line breaking ability has him odds-on for a debut Kangaroos jersey when the team is picked on Sunday.
Australia coach Tim Sheens views the rangy second rower as a like for like replacement for the injured Luke Lewis as Gillett can cover backrow, centre and five-eighth.
To even be mentioned as a potential Australian player is an amazing feat for a man initially signed to the Broncos for the 2010 pre-season only.
“If he picks me ... mate, I’d be the happiest man in Australia,” the Bribie Island battler said. “I don’t read too much in the papers. People have said stuff to me about it and I’m over the moon to hear those things and it is definitely in the back of my mind.
“If I’m playing well and we are winning footy games … well, that’s all I can do.”
Gillett has played the last two State of Origin series for Queensland and has returned to his best form after his running game fell away in the back half of last season.
He said a directive from coach Anthony Griffin to play what’s in front of him and be unafraid to back his instincts had led to a form surge.
Gillett’s creativity adds a dimension to the Broncos few clubs possess — a backrower who can ball play and run over defenders.
It is a skill that almost saw him replace Hunt in 2010, when Gillett was plucked from the Norths Devils as a 21-year-old on a train and trial deal.
As a teenager, Gillett had to battle away alongside Daly Cherry-Evans at Wests Mitchelton with virtually no NRL interest before Ivan Henjak gave him an opportunity at Red Hill.
Gillett trained at fullback that off-season and then coach Ivan Henjak considered using him as the Broncos No.1 before choosing Corey Norman.
Gillett bulked up in the follow years to become a second rower, but is slimming down again so he can back his instincts.
“I’m weighing in at 101 kilograms now but by the end of a game I’m a lot lighter as it is hard work.
“I’m trying to do more work for the team. As a pack I think we are doing well this year.”
HE WAS signed to the Broncos as a potential replacement for Karmichael Hunt and four years later Matt Gillett says a licence to be creative again has led to career-best form.
Gillett leads all NRL forwards for tries this year, with four in seven games, and his line breaking ability has him odds-on for a debut Kangaroos jersey when the team is picked on Sunday.
Australia coach Tim Sheens views the rangy second rower as a like for like replacement for the injured Luke Lewis as Gillett can cover backrow, centre and five-eighth.
To even be mentioned as a potential Australian player is an amazing feat for a man initially signed to the Broncos for the 2010 pre-season only.
“If he picks me ... mate, I’d be the happiest man in Australia,” the Bribie Island battler said. “I don’t read too much in the papers. People have said stuff to me about it and I’m over the moon to hear those things and it is definitely in the back of my mind.
“If I’m playing well and we are winning footy games … well, that’s all I can do.”
Gillett has played the last two State of Origin series for Queensland and has returned to his best form after his running game fell away in the back half of last season.
He said a directive from coach Anthony Griffin to play what’s in front of him and be unafraid to back his instincts had led to a form surge.
Gillett’s creativity adds a dimension to the Broncos few clubs possess — a backrower who can ball play and run over defenders.
It is a skill that almost saw him replace Hunt in 2010, when Gillett was plucked from the Norths Devils as a 21-year-old on a train and trial deal.
As a teenager, Gillett had to battle away alongside Daly Cherry-Evans at Wests Mitchelton with virtually no NRL interest before Ivan Henjak gave him an opportunity at Red Hill.
Gillett trained at fullback that off-season and then coach Ivan Henjak considered using him as the Broncos No.1 before choosing Corey Norman.
Gillett bulked up in the follow years to become a second rower, but is slimming down again so he can back his instincts.
“I’m weighing in at 101 kilograms now but by the end of a game I’m a lot lighter as it is hard work.
“I’m trying to do more work for the team. As a pack I think we are doing well this year.”
