Broncos forward Matt Gillett deserves to make as much money as any player in the competition

MATT Gillett is in such brilliant form he defies conventional wisdom regarding how much players in his position should be paid says ROBERT CRADDOCK.

MATT Gillett is in such exceptional form he is confounding the wisdom of rugby league’s conventional pay structure.

Playmakers such as halves, hookers or fullbacks traditionally snatch league’s biggest contracts, often getting $250,000 or more than equally talented players in other positions.

Backrowers are generally the foot-soldiers. Halves are the generals. They set up the big plays, take the big risks and get the big bucks.

COMEBACK: Barba wants an NRL return

CONTRACT: Storm keen for Slater to play on

But here’s the big question.

Is setting up a try any more valuable than stopping one?

Aren’t they both worth four points?

How many times have you seen Gillett barrel the man with the ball just as he is threatening close to the line?

Gillett was man of the match in last week’s Test.

Or morph into a human octopus and somehow slip an arm under the ball to stop a try being scored or have the smarts and fitness to block a last-minute field goal?

And these skills are just part of a game that includes relentless tackling and clever ball running.

Few people would know the correct figures but it has been speculated Gillett knocked back $200,000-plus extra a season to join the Sharks to re-sign for Brisbane last August for around $500-600,000 a season.

If that’s true Brisbane have picked up a Rolls Royce for a Land Rover price.

Jason Taumololo broke new ground for power forwards when he landed a $1 million a year contract with the Cowboys.

LEAGUE CENTRAL PODCAST: Paul Crawley and Buzz Rothfield lock horns over sanctions for players caught in drug scandals. Plus, a full Round 10 preview.

He is a freakish talent but if you had to pick one of Taumalolo or Gillett who would you choose?

Tough choice. When they played each other last week in a Test it was Gillett who took man-of-the-match honours.

Since Gillett re-signed with the Broncos his value has increased with the market and his own reputation on the rise.

Gorden Tallis called Gillett the best forward in the world on June 20 last year and his form has improved since then.

Gillett has been in superb form for the Broncos.

But those who know him well say he is not the type for bidding wars.

Many years ago I sat next to an unpretentious 21-year-old Gillett at a function at Allan Border Field and he told me how relieved he was to sign with the Broncos and he had a huge battle ahead just to play first grade.

A few weeks ago I saw him walking through Chermside Shopping Centre and noted he had the same stern “my work’s only half done’’ look he carried all those years ago when he was starting out.

But that’s the thing with great players. They’re never satisfied.

The quest for improvement is ceaseless. They deserve all they get.

Originally published as Broncos forward Matt Gillett deserves to make as much money as any player in the competition