Gillett to play normal game
@EmmaGreenwood12 MATT Gillett says he sees no need to change his mindset heading into tomorrow night’s Origin clash despite becoming a senior member of Queensland’s starting pack after the loss of Matt Scott and Corey Parker.
The second-rower will play his 16th Origin game for the Maroons tomorrow to become the most capped member of Queensland’s starting pack behind Cameron Smith (40) and Nate Myles (32).
But the Bribie Island junior said he was under no pressure to step up and play a different role in the side.
“I just need to do what I usually do,” he said.
“That’s the reason we get picked, because we do what we do at club level and there’s no need to try to change our mindset.
“It’s all about the team, I’ve just got to do my role.
“That’s the great thing about this side is you just go out there and worry about what you’ve got to do best for the team knowing that all the boys are going to be doing exactly the same thing.
“A few of the senior players aren’t here but Nate will be right, Smithy is here, Sammy (Thaiday) is here, so those boys in the side will be doing a job and leading from the front like they always do.”
Gillett may not step into the spotlight but there’s no doubt he’ll play a massive role for Queensland against a dangerous Blues pack/.
Part of that will be trying to help the Maroons contain Blues captain Boyd Cordner, who sets the tone for his team.
“Boyd’s a great player, he’s a great competitor and he plays the full 80,’’ Gillett said.
“His first run is as hard as his last run, so he’s very hard to handle but we’ll all be doing our best to do our little part for the team and try to control their big forward pack.
“They’re such a dangerous pack, they can offload it and run hard and run over players too.
“We’ve got our hands full there.”
Gillett heads into the game in outstanding form, having won man of the match honours in the Anzac Test just last month.
Receiving his medal – and a miniature statue of fallen soldier Cameron Baird from his Gold Coast-based parents Doug and Kaye – made a mark on Gillett.
He was touched by the story of Baird, who became Australia’s first posthumous Victoria Cross recipient after he was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2013.
“We heard (Baird’s) story the night before (the Test) at the War Memorial and to receive that award on the last Anzac Test was pretty special and something that I probably never dreamt of – getting a man of the match in such a great side with such great players around me,” Gillett said.
“It’s something that I will always hold close to me.”