Anthony Seibold won’t move Matt Gillett back to second row any time soon

Broncos veteran Matt Gillett has not given up hope of a return to the second-row despite Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold insisting he has no immediate plan to abort his lock experiment,

Matt Gillett of the Broncos passes the ball during the Round 1 NRL match between Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Thursday, March 14, 2019. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

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Broncos veteran Matt Gillett has not given up hope of a return to the second-row despite Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold insisting he has no immediate plan to abort his lock experiment with the Origin star.

Gillett admits he felt like a “headless chook” during his first appearance at lock in almost five years in Brisbane’s season-opening 22-12 loss to Melbourne at AAMI Park on Thursday night.

Playing his first NRL game in 11 months following a fractured neck and shoulder surgery, Gillett was gasping for air after 15 minutes under attack from Melbourne midfield giants Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

Prior to his neck ordeal, Gillett had carved out a reputation as the NRL’s finest right-edge back-rower.

The 30-year-old still craves a return to the No.12 jumper, but accepts he may have to make a short-term positional sacrifice for the betterment of a youthful Broncos forward pack.

“The way the team is at the moment, it might be a bit of time before I go back out to the edge,” Gillett said.

Gillett made his first start at lock in five years. AAP Image/Daniel Pockett.

“Payne (Haas, prop) is out for a few weeks and Tevita (Pangai Jr) has missed a bit of the pre-season with his hamstrings, so we need a bit of experience in the middle at the moment with the young group we’ve got.

“For the time being, I’m happy to do my role in the middle. We need 17 guys doing the job so whatever role I get, I will do my best for the team.”

The numerical shift from No.12 to No.13 may seem subtle, but on the park, it was a shock for Gillett.

Stationed smack bang in the heart of the high-octane ruck attrition battle, the Maroons ace felt rushed and unable to be as selective as he is on the fringes.

It was a tribute to Gillett’s toughness and competitive instincts that he finished the Storm showdown with a game-high 50 tackles.

“It felt like I made that many tackles,” he said with a laugh. “It’s something I’m not used to ... I felt like I was in a washing-machine cycle.

Gillett wants to move back to second row. Picture by Peter Wallis.

“I was gone after about 15 minutes, but I just had to hang in there and get the job done.

“I was running around like a chook with my head chopped off.

“I didn’t think there would be too much difference but it definitely is – you have to be on the ball the whole time and filling in spaces in defence.

“On the edge you get to watch the game unfold, but in the middle you are constantly going. I have to get used to that.”

With Haas not due to return from suspension until round five, Seibold said is keen to retain Gillett in the midfield.

“For the foreseeable future, I see ‘Gillo’ getting better and better in the middle,” he said.

“It was a pretty fair stint. It was his first game back since round five last year.

“He had a pretty good shift against the Storm forwards ... he worked his backside off.”