It may have been a frustrating wait but Matt Gillett’s return to NRL action from injury could not have been timed better, Brisbane captain Darius Boyd says.

The Broncos will be fighting to retain their place in the top eight in Friday night’s Suncorp Stadium clash with sixth-placed Parramatta.

And Boyd said their nerves had been eased by Gillett’s presence after the Queensland back-rower finally overcame groin and back ailments that had sidelined him for seven games.

Gillett made an impressive return last round, which included a bust that set up a 77th-minute Kotoni Staggs try before top five outfit South Sydney hung on for a 22-20 win.

Boyd said it was enough to give him confidence that Gillett can prove the difference as eighth-placed Brisbane battle to seal a finals berth in the last two regular season rounds.

“Gillo is one of those guys when he runs out you feel a bit safer,” Boyd told AAP.

“We have a pretty young right edge so he shores that up with his defence, leadership and experience.

“I thought he did a pretty good job for his first game in seven weeks and he will only get better.

“It’s great to have Gillo back and it’s good timing for us coming into the finals.”

No wonder Boyd is embracing Gillett’s return.

The 31-year-old is Brisbane’s most experienced forward in NRL finals, with 13 post-season games under his belt dating back to 2010.

Joe Ofahengaue, 23, is the Broncos’ next most experienced forward with seven finals to his name.

Gillett admitted it had been frustrating to watch from the sidelines after first suffering a groin niggle then aggravating his back during a weights session.

Especially after being limited to just five games last year due to a neck fracture.

But the Maroons veteran said he was primed to propel the Broncos pack towards a finals tilt after finding a silver lining to his injury woes.

“There’s no worse feeling that sitting on the sideline watching,” he said.

“But not doing that contact week-in and week-out in the NRL, your body does like that bit of rest.

“There are two more games to go in the season and I am feeling pretty fresh, so hopefully I can make a bit of an impact on the field.”