Steely Will to finally notch a century

IT has been a decade in the making but Will Matthews is set to shake off a concussion and line up for his 100th NRL match on Saturday.

Gold Coast teammate Jarrod Wallace last week notched his ton 2148 days after his first grade debut; by the time Saturday arrives, Matthews’ wait will have stretched to 3598 days since he first ran out for the Titans in June of 2008.

The Kyogle Turkeys junior has been plagued by injuries throughout his career and almost fittingly enters his milestone match under a cloud.

A head knock forced him from the field against the Sharks last weekend and he was deemed unable to return.

However, the enforcer believes he will be able to take his place at left second-rower against Canberra at GIO Stadium after passing the initial concussion protocols.

“I feel pretty good,” Matthews said. “Obviously you have got to tick a few boxes in regards to the protocol ... but yeah I’m confident that I should be right to go.

“It’s a huge milestone … it’s very special and just to play it at the club where I started, it’s very important to me.”

Matthews is a man of few words but those around him heap praise on the 30-year-old.

“Will has got a bit of a steely edge to him,” coach Garth Brennan said. “He doesn’t say a lot but he leads with his actions.

“He doesn’t hold anything back. He plays above his weight, there’s no doubt about that, and I know the boys like playing alongside him.”

Kane Elgey is currently out of the top 17 but seconded Brennan’s sentiments.

“He is sort of the silent assassin,” Elgey said.

“I don’t think people realise how good he actually is.”