Bribie Island product Matt Gillett was primed for a big Origin series, former Maroons flyer Brent Tate told QRL Media.
"He’s never let anybody down. Every time he’s put that Maroon jersey on he’s really aimed up," said Tate, who scored five tries in his 23 Origins.
"He’s probably a bit of an unsung hero but I think he’s really going to stamp his authority on this series."
The tireless Broncos forward will run out for his 16th Origin on Wednesday night at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
"It's a huge responsibility when you play for Queensland and the boys do know what that responsibility is and I think that’s been a part of our success the last 10 years," Tate told Peter Psaltis at the series launch at City Hall on Monday night.
He also said coach Kevin Walters had opted for a "tried and true" line-up.
"As a Queenslander you just trust what he’s done. The boys have done the job the last 10 years so there’s no reason to think they won’t do it again.
"Plenty of trust in Kevvie, plenty of trust in the boys, and I like the team. Obviously Billy (Slater) is a really hard one to leave out but having Darius (Boyd) back there … we’re going to be fine."
