The Dolphins' season has been on the slide but Brisbane lock Pat Carrigan has no doubt coach Wayne Bennett will have them ready to fire against his former club in Saturday night's derby.
Broncos prop Payne Haas trained with the main group on Wednesday and is a chance to return from a foot injury in the 'Battle of Brisbane' at Suncorp Stadium after missing the past three weeks.
The Dolphins have lost five of their past six games while the Broncos have shown character to win their past two in comeback victories against North Queensland and Parramatta.
The Dolphins and Broncos, both on 26 points, are two points behind eighth-placed St George Illawarra and seeking two wins in the final rounds to play finals.
Bennett was famously sacked by the Broncos in 2018 after winning six titles at the club and there is a sense that he would love nothing more than to all but end his former club's finals hope while keeping his own team in the race.
Carrigan will line up against Queensland colleague Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and former Broncos centre Herbie Farnworth, and has nothing but respect for his former coach Bennett.
"I know what it's like to play under him. Wayne will have them ready to go," Carrigan said.
"That's what he is good at, bringing the best out in people and they have a real quality outfit with veterans who know how to get the job done and some really exciting players.
"Hammer (Tabuai-Fidow) and Herbie, those guys are tough every week.
"(Bennett) will want to win for Redcliffe and his own supporters.
"He was my NRL coach when I was young. I learnt plenty about preparation and training standards and what it means to be an NRL player week in, week out. He has got different colours on this week and I hope we end up with the two points."
Carrigan kept his cards close about whether Haas would play against the Dolphins, but AAP understands he will play if he pulls up well from training in the next 48 hours.
"He has been training really well. I'm not sure if he will play, that was his first bit of involvement with skills so we will see how he goes, but he is the ultimate professional," Carrigan said.
"If he does play, it's Payne Haas, you know watching him how good he is.
"His foot hasn't come off the pedal. He has been leading the way in rehab and consistency is what he brings. If he was to get out there it would be awesome but there is no pressure on him."
The Broncos training on Wednesday was first class and they have shown positive signs in recent weeks.
"The fight has always been there, we just lacked a bit of polish and connection and we are starting to get that cohesion back a bit," Carrigan said.
"The boys that have come in, Joshy Rogers and Tristan Sailor, they have played some really good footy on the back of their training standards. I am excited to get out there and take on Redcliffe this week."
