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The stunning physical cost of Matt Gillett's injury blows

A lot has happened at NRL club Brisbane while Matt Gillett has been sidelined.

But the Broncos star is confident it will be business as usual with Wayne Bennett still at the helm when he makes his long awaited 2019 comeback from injury.

That’s despite the back-rower losing almost 10 kilograms from his hulking frame during his time off:

Matt Gillett says he’ll be ready to go for Round One of the 2019 NRL season. Pic: Getty/AAP
Matt Gillett says he’ll be ready to go for Round One of the 2019 NRL season. Pic: Getty/AAP

Out of action since April, the Test second-rower took a step towards an NRL round one return from a neck fracture and shoulder reconstruction when he began pre-season training this week.

The 30-year-old will reportedly be put on a rigorous weightlifting program to regain some of the bulk that has gone astray over the past six months.

Gillett, 30, hurt his neck in this year’s season opener but medical staff didn’t discover the break until after Brisbane’s round five clash with Newcastle.

He opted for surgery on an ongoing shoulder issue while sidelined.

“I will be right for the season opener. I just need the final tick with the final (neck) scan but it was healed by the end of the season. I just need to get my shoulder right,” said Gillett.

“(The neck injury) was scary, having kids and family and a life after footy to think about.”

Matt Gillett of the Broncos grimaces as he leaves the field during the round one NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos at UOW Jubilee Oval on March 8, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Matt Gillett of the Broncos grimaces as he leaves the field during the round one NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos at UOW Jubilee Oval on March 8, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Speaking on Triple M, NRL commentator Ben Dobbin went into detail about Gillett’s injury and how he can make a return for 2019.

“Now most of us when we don’t train we put on weight, Matt Gillett’s got the other drama, so he is about seven kilos lighter than what he should be, he leans up,” Dobbin said.

“What he needs to do is he needs to get seven kilos of muscle on, so his main work at the moment, he’s not doing all the cardio, he’s in the gym and he’s lifting weights, he needs to get back.”

He will need a final scan to be cleared of the neck fracture but says his pre-season priority is getting his shoulder right after undergoing a reconstruction in August.

Gillett is finally looking forward to the future after re-signing with Brisbane for another four years while sidelined.

with AAP.