MATT Gillett plans to follow Corey Parker’s lead in rejecting lucrative rival offers to join Brisbane’s ranks of one-club wonders.

Gillett is easily the highest profile forward off-contract in 2016 and despite attracting the attention of a host of clubs including Cronulla and the Gold Coast — the backrower will reject their overtures and ink a long term extension with the Broncos.

Foxsports.com.au understands Gillett is closing in on signing a new deal which would tie him to the club for another three to four-years.

Dragons recruitment boss Ian Millward joins Ben Ikin, Ben Glover and Nathan Ryan as they run through potential new signings, what needs to change at Souths and the challenges facing Brisbane.

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It’s a decision which sees him sacrifice around $200,000 a season with his new contract understood to be worth around $500,000 a year.

Having played 143 first grade games since joining Brisbane’s under 20s in 2008, such a lengthy commitment would tie the 27-year-old to the club for over a decade.

The Maroons regular has been in career best form this year, rocketing his market value to around the $700,000 a season commanded by the game’s best big men.

That’s a huge increase from the $450,000 a season he is believed to be on this year.

Matt Gillett with his daughter. Source: News Corp Australia

But just as Parker turned down offers from Canterbury and the Storm, worth double his Broncos wage early in his career, Gillett is willing to sacrifice serious dollars to keep his young family in Brisbane and play out his days in the maroon and gold.

“That is the goal and it’s what a lot of players want to do,” Gillett said of becoming a one-club player at Red Hill.

“Hopefully in the next few weeks that will be sorted out and that’s my preference.

“My priority is staying in Brisbane, that’s the goal and has been for a while.

“I love the club and we’re getting there with just a few more things to be finalised.

“My manager has been handling that side of it and I think we’re getting pretty close.”

Brisbane has a proud history of hanging onto their brightest stars for the duration of their careers.

Corey Parker and Matt Gillett. Source: News Corp Australia

Darren Lockyer, Allan Langer, Shane Webcke, Steve Renouf, Michael Hancock and Andrew Gee headline a long list of Broncos who never strayed from the stable during careers that spanned at least 10 years.

After this week announcing his retirement at season’s end, Parker is set to join them with up to 350 NRL games across 16 seasons in the maroon and gold.

It’s an achievement that holds the 34-year-old in rare regard among his teammates, and Gillett admits Parker’s retirement will leave a hefty hole in the club’s senior ranks.

In paying tribute to Parker’s influence on his burgeoning career, Gillett expects to shoulder that leadership load along with the likes of Darius Boyd, Sam Thaiday, Adam Blair and Ben Hunt next season.

Maroons player Matt Gillett takes the ball up. Source: AAP

“He helped me out a lot when I came to the club as a young fella and obviously Corey’s such a great leader around the club,” Gillett said.

“Being a Bronco means that much to him, and not only for myself but the other young guys coming through he leads in the right direction and he’s always good for a bit of advice.

“I am getting a little bit older now and Corey will be dearly missed at the Broncos.

“There’s a group of guys in our mid-20s that have been there for a while and we’re all going to have to stand up when Corey’s gone.

“They’re big shoes to fill but we all bring a little bit of leadership to the team and hopefully we can all pitch in and keep the younger boys coming along nicely.”

These writers are on Twitter: @dan_walsh64 and @Nath_Ryan

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