Gold Coast Titans to table offer for Broncos enforcer Matt Gillett

GOLD Coast coach Neil Henry has made Maroons enforcer Matt Gillett his top target, declaring the Broncos hitman could be a cornerstone of the Titans’ future.

Broncos Matt Gillett. The Brisbane Broncos vs the New Zealand Warriors at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis

GOLD Coast coach Neil Henry has made Maroons enforcer Matt Gillett his prime recruitment target, declaring the Broncos hit-man could be a cornerstone of the Titans’ future.

Amid revelations the Dragons were keen on Gillett and Brisbane “supersub” Kodi Nikorima, Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has told the hard-hitting forward to stay at Red Hill.

But Henry revealed on Wednesday that the Titans were preparing to table an offer.

The Broncos are facing salary cap constraints in their bid to retain Gillett, who is in the final year of a deal worth up to $500,000 a season.

The Titans are expected to match Gillett’s Broncos contract in the hope of luring him to the rebuilding franchise ahead of circling Sydney clubs.

“They (Broncos) are saying they’re quite keen to keep him. We’re saying, if he’s available then we’d be interested in putting something together for him,” Henry said.

“He’s a quality player. He wants to stay close to home. He’s the type of player you can build your pack around. He’d certainly complement what we’ve got as well.”

Gillett has 12 Origin appearances under his belt and the 27-year-old is arguably in the form of his career. He has at least four more years left in the NRL.

The Titans have been well serviced by a backrowers Chris McQueen, Zeb Taia and Greg Bird this season but Gillett could add more punch to the rotation.

The Titans fancy their chances of signing Gillett, who wants to stay in Queensland.

Gillett will face the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night and Henry said he had been impressed by his early-season form.

“He’s been really good,” the Titans supremo said.

“He’s been consistent for a long time but I think he’s stepped it up this year and has been outstanding. It (backrow) is an area we’re looking at moving forward.”

Gillett is one of a host of big-name Broncos off-contract this year, along with Nikorima and skipper Corey Parker. Bennett said he is confident of keeping Gillett and Nikorima, who is testing his value on the open market.

“I’ve told them both I would like them to stay,” he said. “If the Dragons want them, they won’t see the potential in just one weekend, I can tell you that.

“When you recruit, you are recruiting for more than one performance, you are looking for consistency over a period of time.”