The day a career was born: Gillett’s 13-try mauling

Matt Gillett today signed off from a magnificent career, with more than 230 games of top-flight footy behind him,  but one of his greatest days as a player came on a cold, wet night in Gympie.

Matt Gillett once scored 13 tries in a day for Bribie Island Warrigals.

MATT Gillett today signed off from a magnificent career with more than 230 games of top flight footy but one of the greatest days as a player came on a cold, wet night in Gympie.

He played 202 games for the Brisbane Broncos, 20 for Queensland and 12 for Australia.

He is one of the greatest players the Sunshine Coast has produced.

But if you ask anyone there at Jack Stokes Oval in Gympie that night, Gillett’s barnstorming best-ever night came for the Bribie Island Warrigals.

Aldo Loi, one of Gillett’s former coaches, said Gillett’s performance in the under-20s side made him irresistible and one that announced himself to the game.

Matt Gillett helping Bribie Island to a win.

“I think he scored, eight, or maybe nine tries for the under-20s, then was given the call-up to A-grade and scored a bagful more,” Mr Loi said.

“He was magical in his young day, flick passes, unbelievable.

“We could tell what a big future he had back then.

“I think they reigned him in a bit in the NRL.

“The under-20s won by 100 points I think, then A-grade by 60-odd.

He said it was a good day.

“We had a really good side back then, coached by Leon Cleal (Noel ‘Crusher’ Cleal’s nephew) but I just remember how good Matt was, and how cold it was.”

Mr Loi said Gillett had barely changed despite his high-profile status.

He said Gillett was still only ever a text away and one to constantly help out at the junior club.

“One time it was about 20 minutes before an Origin match, he would have been sitting in the sheds … I usually text him during the day see, but I forgot,” Mr Loi said.

“So I shot him a good luck text and got a reply within two minutes.

“He’s a great player, but a better fella, his whole family are.

“I am sad that his career has ended this way.”

Originally published as The day a career was born: Gillett’s 13-try mauling