Gillett looking sharp for Broncos
As Brisbane's charge towards a record 20th straight finals appearance gathers steam there is one bolter in their ranks who can consider himself a near certainty to take out the NRL rookie of the year at season's end.
In fact, 21-year-old Matt Gillett's only real opposition for the gong will come from within his own team.
A Bribie Island junior who played who had mostly played second row, Gillett has become coach Ivan Henjak's ultimate everywhere man this season.
Stints in the centres have proven fruitful for the club which was unfancied in the pre-season and on Friday night he showed he can play just about anywhere on the park, scoring two first class tries on the wing against North Queensland.
It was as if he had played in the position all of his life which prompted veteran skipper Darren Lockyer to heap praise on Gillett.
"He's obviously been a real find for us, he's a team player," Lockyer said.
"We had him on the wing and he scores (two tries).
"That first try was pretty awesome, he was good under the high ball and he scored a classic winger's try towards the end.
"He can do it all."
Friday night came as no surprise to Lockyer but he admitted he had no idea that Gillett would bolt out of the blocks and find himself on the cusp of Origin selection in his maiden season in the NRL.
"He's been playing like that all year," he said.
"I didn't see much of him play last year so I don't know (what he was like).
"He's obviously and definitely up to NRL standard, without a doubt."
His efforts make Henjak's life simpler but Gillett is not the only young player on the Broncos books who can slot into just about any position on the field.
Alex Glenn and Ben T'eo have also impressed in 2010 and their durability and versatility are two reasons why Brisbane are poised to make another tilt at the premiership.
"They've been the real rocks for us this year," Henjak said.
"You throw Benny T'eo in their as well and Alex Glenn has a stint in there every now and again so we're well served there.
"They're really good players and they've been consistent all year.
"I just feel that's a positive that we've got with those players.
"It makes it really easy when you have an injury, it helps with our interchanges, there's a lot of pluses for it.
"They're all football players too."
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