Gillett to be a Bronco for life

Matt Gillett is set to finish his NRL career as a one-club player after re-signing with Brisbane for four more seasons.The deal keeps the Test second-rower at the Broncos until the end of the 2020 season, when he will be 32.Gillett was one of the hottest off-contract players on the market and had other tempting offers on the table from rival clubs, including the Warriors, Manly and Gold Coast.But he said a desire to stay where he is most “comfortable” dictated his decision.”Obviously it took us time, but definitely happy it’s over,” Gillett told reporters. “I couldn’t be more excited for the future, not just for myself but my family too. “I suppose that was the main reason in staying here and staying a Bronco.”The option (to leave) was there but at the end of the day I did want to stay here and I was going to do everything I can.”Gillett joined the Broncos as a teenager in their under-20s system, made his NRL debut in the opening round of 2010 and was a State of Origin player two years later.He has been a fixture in the Australian side since making his debut for the Kangaroos in 2014.The news is a boost for the Broncos as they look towards Friday night’s semi-final against North Queensland in Townsville, a rematch of last year’s NRL grand final.Brisbane are leaving nothing in the tank and held an intense training session on Tuesday, highlighted by Josh McGuire and reserve-grader Salesi Funaki coming to blows and needing to be separated after an errant tackle.Jarrod Wallace didn’t train due to illness but young centre Tom Opacic did and is ready to slot into the side if James Roberts is suspended, as anticipated.Roberts will fight a contrary conduct charge for kicking Gold Coast’s Ryan Simpkins on Wednesday and is facing a one-week ban.Opacic has impressed in his debut NRL season and Gillett has backed him to perform in what would be just his ninth senior appearance, despite carrying a shoulder injury.”Tommy’s looking good, he’s a tough kid. He obviously needs that shoulder done at the end of the year but he’s got to do his job here and tough it out,” Gillett said.Gillett scored two tries the last time the Broncos faced the Cowboys, a thrilling 19-18 win at 1300SMILES Stadium back in round 11.”There’s a lot of respect between both sides but we know as a group it’s always going to be a hard contest to go up there and get the win on their home turf,” he said.”We’ve just got to do the same things we’ve been doing, but a bit better.”

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