Broncos star Matt Gillett confident on return from serious neck injury
A string of players have struggled to get back to their best following serious neck injuries, but Matt Gillett is confident he won’t be one of them.
NRL
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Broncos star Matt Gillett admits he may be slow out of the blocks in 2019, but insists a near career-ending neck injury will not stop him getting back to his best.
Gillett was on the training paddock at Red Hill on Monday as the Broncos returned to pre-season preparations after the Christmas break.
The Maroons and Kangaroos star is still on a modified training program as he continues his rehabilitation from a shoulder reconstruction.
But Gillett has been given the all-clear on his neck after sitting out nearly the entire 2018 NRL season.
Gillett fractured his neck in Brisbane’s Round 1 loss to St George Illawarra and remarkably played another four games before the injury was diagnosed.
He sat out the remainder of the season as the injury slowly healed, securing a contract extension that will keep him at the Broncos until 2022.
A string of players have struggled to get back to their best following serious neck injuries, but Gillett is confident he won’t be one of them.
“I think I’ll be fine,” he said.
“It’s been a long time out, but playing with it for a little bit when it happened has given me the confidence everything will be okay.
“I’ve got to focus on my shoulder. I need to get it right and get as much contact under my belt before that first trial.
“It might take a little bit to get back to myself and the level I was playing with, but that’s due to not playing for a while.
“Nothing is going to change mentally for me with the way I play my football. It just might take a bit of time with game fitness and stuff like that.”
At his best, Gillett was one of the NRL’s most feared defenders.
The 183-game veteran’s experience was missed last season as the Broncos conceded 500 points, the most of any team in the top eight.
With young backrower Jaydn Su’A still in a moon boot following ankle surgery, Gillett’s availability will be even more crucial.
“It wasn’t ideal for myself being out for the year and losing Jaydn Su’A and Alex Glenn in periods of last year,” he said.
“It’s about learning. Everyone has got to start somewhere.
“In the circumstances I think they did a great job and will be better for it. They will learn and take that on-board to improve this year.”
While sidelined with the neck problem, Gillett had an operation to fix his shoulder issues.
He is hoping to play in Brisbane’s final pre-season trial against the Titans on March 2 at Cbus Super Stadium to prove his fitness for Round 1.
“I’ll focus on the shoulder to get that right and join the boys (in full training) later in the month,” he said.
“It’s been a long time on the sidelines watching.
“I think it’s been a positive thing. I’ve missed a lot of footy but I’ve been able to spend that time with family and refresh the body.
“It’s perfect timing in a way to have that rest for a year and hit the ground running. I’m eager to get out there.”
Broncos hooker Andrew McCullough said Gillett would be a huge inclusion in 2019.
“He is a representative player and we certainly missed him throughout last year,” he said.
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