'Beyond repair': Matt Gillett tearfully reveals shock retirement
Brisbane backrower Matt Gillett has announced his retirement, ending his 10-season NRL career, saying the decision was "a no-brainer" due to a chronic shoulder injury.
Gillett, 31, walks away from the game with three years left on his Broncos contract.
The veteran of 200 NRL games, 20 Origins and 12 Tests has been plagued by injuries the past two seasons, suffering a broken neck in 2018 while nursing back, knee and an ongoing shoulder issue this year.
The Broncos star was in tears as he announced his retirement during an emotionally-charged press conference on Thursday.
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"I injured my shoulder late in the season which was something that was playing on my mind," a tearful Gillett said.
"Once the season was finished I went to get scans, which showed a large amount of damage in right shoulder.
Tough day for the @brisbanebroncos - a very emotional Matt Gillett struggling to speak as he announces immediate retirement. "My shoulder is beyond repair. It's a huge shock. But I have to do what's best for my health." LIVE NOW on @FOXSportsNews
— cody kaye (@Cody_KayeFOX) October 31, 2019
Matt Gillett was absolutely one of the good blokes of rugby league. Saddened to see him forced into retirement. At his best was one of the game's best back-rowers. Skillful, tough - big loss for Broncos.
— Steve Zemek (@stevezemek) October 31, 2019
"I sought out a number of medical opinions from a range of doctors, but the shoulder is beyond repair for a return to rugby league.
"This has been a huge shock to me and my family, and we have taken the time over the past month to consider what we should do.
I have decided to take the medical advice from the experts and call time on my career."
Gillett didn't believe he would have even been able to get through pre-season training.
"It was a no-brainer" he said.
Coach pays tribute to outgoing favourite
Gillett was joined by Broncos coach Anthony Seibold for the emotional retirement announcement, where he also revealed he would stay on at the club in an ambassador role.
Seibold lauded Gillett’s career, declaring him to be one of the game’s ‘elite’.
“Gillo’s a special player he’s had an enormous career and we’ll miss him,” said Seibold.
“One of the things that stand out about Gillo, he’s an elite footy player, but also a special person.
“It’s something that he has considered really deeply and the medical advice is for him to retire.
“One of the medical staff said to me: ‘if that was my son, I couldn’t let him play’ and that really hit a chord with me and I was quite emotional about that. I think it’s the right decision, but we’ll miss him.
