Broncos forward Corey Parker says his side has the firepower to win the NRL premiership - even if they fail to finish in the top four.

After a shock home loss to the Bulldogs on Sunday, the Broncos are sitting seventh on the NRL ladder with eight rounds to be played.

Their next task is a visit to Townsville to play North Queensland on Friday night. Usually the simmering rivalry between the two Queensland clubs would set up a blockbuster but with the Cowboys winless in their last 10 outings, Brisbane will start heavy favourites.

Since the introduction of the McIntyre finals system in 1999, no side outside the top four has managed to hoist the trophy on grand final day, while inclusion in the first quartet also guarantees a home semi-final.

Parker says with Brisbane's glittering backline - still to be bolstered by suspended centre Justin Hodges - anything is possible as long as a post-season date is secured.

"It might be pretty hard to do but as long as you're in the semi-finals, you're in with a hope. A top four team only has to lose one game and it's anyone's money," Parker said.

Despite his optimism, the tough backrower says a top-four spot is the clear goal as the Brisbane starts down the road to the finals.

"The product is in place at the moment and the top four gives you a home semi. There's some crowds out there - and I'm pretty sure our crowd included - that does get behind the home team, so it's paramount," Parker said.

Brisbane looked rusty against Dogs but with Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace back in the driver's seat and Hodges a week away, the cavalry is returning at the right time of the year.

"With eight weeks left, it's the time now for sides to really finetune the way they want to head into the latter part of the year. It's a stepping stone for us and it's going to start on Friday night," Parker said.

"We've got close to our full strength side now. It's just a matter of having the same team on the paddock every week and finetuning combinations."

Wayne Bennett delivered some stinging assessments of his side's defence at training today, at times calling for more urgency, while scrumbase plays were clearly readying to send some heavy horses at Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston.