Brisbane would no doubt covet a top-four finish but Wayne Bennett, who knows a thing or two about the quirks of finals football, believes the Broncos have two key areas covered as they prepare for the NRL post-season.
All that could change if there is some injury carnage at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night as the Broncos wrap up their regular season against the Roosters, out of the running for the finals but hardly a good thing in terms of Brisbane ending on a high note.
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Steve Mascord's Set of Six: Round 25
League HQ's roving reporter Steve Mascord brings you all the highlights and lowlights from the week in rugby league.
As it stands, a fit side firing at the right time has Bennett sounding a note of cautionary confidence about last season's beaten grand finalists. Only Jack Reed and Kodi Nikorima, both out for the season, aren't available.
Those that were quick to dismiss Brisbane as a premiership threat after their Origin form slump have now seen a revitalised side that has had the luxury of trotting out an almost unchanged team for the crucial month before the finals.
With hooker Andrew McCullough being cleared to play (ankle), the key combinations will get another chance to flourish as the Broncos hope to get their runs on the board and sit back and watch the weekend unfold.
"It would be nice [to win]. The good part is we we know we are in the play-offs, it just depends on who we are playing and what day we are playing. It will be a weekend of intrigue," Bennett said.
"The most important thing is you're virtually injury free and playing good football at that time of year. You can be top of the league and playing terrible. You probably know you're not going to get where you want to go, deep down. If your form is good, regardless of where you finish, you can give yourself a real chance.
"We're both of those at the moment; our form is good and we're pretty much injury free, with the exception of Jack Reed."
Brisbane have ample reason to perform against the Roosters, ladder position aside. The farewell of lock Corey Parker adds an extra layer of emotion, while Bennett knows this is the time of year when the real contenders really begin to hoist their colours.
"The top teams are starting to show their form now. Cronulla got their win the other night, the Storm have been good, the Cowboys are back. I think you'll see the top teams starting to play well," Bennett said.
"The challenge for us is to make sure we want the win badly enough and stay at it long enough to make sure we get there."
And on Parker, retiring at season's end: "I hope he has a great game tomorrow night, I hope his teammates play well with him. I want it to be a great night for him and get it done. It's pretty special.
"He just brings that consistency that you always crave. He did his best every week and the players want to play with him and that's the greatest accolade you can get as a player."
Those sort of send-offs are always sweeter after victory but Brisbane need only wind back the clock to round 21 to realise the quality of their opponent, even if the Roosters have had a season to forget near the tail end of the ladder.
On that occasion, Sydney produced a resounding 32-16 win. It's one Bennett hopes was reflective of his side's form at the time, rather than any advantage the former high flyers may have in personnel.
"They towelled us up about six weeks ago down there, made us look pretty ordinary. They're a good football team still, they've had some good results since then," Bennett said.
"We'll have our hands full. We just have to keep playing the way we have been playing, that's our main priority."
Victory for Brisbane would ensure a home final while defeat could see them drop as low as seventh.
There have been reports that Reed, a fixture in the Broncos centres prior to his shoulder injuries, may be forced to retire as medical staff continue to try and find a fix for his chronic issues.
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