Gillett free to walk
THE Broncos face a fresh multimillion-dollar battle to retain Matt Gillett following revelations the Queensland Origin and Test star is a free agent.
Gillett – Brisbane’s No. 1 back-rower – has a clause in his $3 million contract that enables him to test his value and source offers from rival NRL clubs this season. The Gillett development comes as the Broncos prepare to make some critical retention decisions, with fellow forwards Matt Lodge, Tevita Pangai Jr and young gun Jaydn Su’A also off contract at the end of the season.
Gillett is considered one of the best forwards in the code and Brisbane appeared to have averted any threat of a poaching bid when they brokered a four-year deal with the Maroons ace in September 2016.
But it is understood Gillett’s contract contains a twoyear option in his favour. That means the Kangaroos back-rower is officially off contract this season, leaving the door ajar for NRL suitors to tempt him with $1 millionplus offers.
Gillett is happy at the Broncos and it would take a gigantic offer from a cashedup NRL rival to prise the Bribie Island junior from a club where he has become a Test and Origin campaigner.
But the Dragons’ successful poaching raid on Gillett’s former teammate Ben Hunt, who inked a $6 million deal with the Red V 15 months ago, is evidence the Broncos cannot undervalue their stars.
It is believed Gillett’s deal with the Broncos is worth about $750,000 a season but he could pocket upwards of $1 million annually on the open market following the increase of the NRL salary cap.
The 29-year-old was reluctant to discuss his contractual status yesterday.
The Broncos are hopeful of retaining Pangai Jr and Lodge, who will spearhead Brisbane’s front-row against Wests Tigers in Sydney on Friday night.