Former Australian halfback Mark Murray believes Brisbane's rookie utility Matt Gillett is a future representative player who has the talent to be the Broncos' best back-rower within two years.

The 21-year-old, who won Brisbane Norths' Player of the Year in the Queensland Cup last season, has made a big impression with coach Ivan Henjak, who could hand him a start in the club's opening NRL game of the season against North Queensland on March 12.

Gillett has been named in Brisbane's back-row for their final pre-season hit-out against Queensland Cup side Redcliffe on Saturday and if he performs well is almost certain to be in Henjak's first 17-man squad of the season,

"He's a future representative player. I think over the next two seasons he'll become the best back-rower the club has," said Murray whose representative career for Queensland and Australia was cut short by an eye injury in the 1980s.

Murray said Gillett, rocked last year by the death of close friend and former Bribie Island teammate Todd Parnell, hadn't always applied himself until last season when he was a standout for Norths.

"Rugby league didn't always appear to be on the top of his priority list and he quite often got distract from his footy which is fair enough when you are young.

"But the penny dropped last year he was easily our best player.

"He's got the talent level to be a regular NRL player and something better."

"I don't want to put too many wraps on the kid before he gets in there but he's a naturally gifted player that has a lot of skills that you can't coach, instinctive skills.

"I think he's going to be a tremendous asset to the Broncos this season in the back-row."

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