An unlikely source of support has emerged for NRL finals surprise packets North Queensland in the lead-up to the biggest game in the club's history - rival coach Ricky Stuart.

In an unprecedented move, Roosters mentor Stuart offered the Cowboys advice on how to cope with the tense countdown to Sunday's preliminary final at Telstra Stadium.

Rather than take a guarded approach before tackling the NRL giant killers, Stuart provided ways the Cowboys could enjoy their inaugural finals campaign more.

"Enjoy the week, enjoy the emotion, enjoy the limelight. There is no pressure on them, all of the pressure is on us to win," he said.

"It's been good for Townsville, good for the game itself to see them come through and play some great footy and knock off a couple of heavyweights."

Stuart even drew parallels from the Cowboys' unlikely finals charge with his first grand final campaign as a Canberra player in 1989.

He said there was "no reason" why North Queensland couldn't repeat the Raiders' premiership success of 15 years ago.

"I remember being involved in the same situation back in Canberra in 1989," he said.

"You played because you just enjoyed being involved in the series.

"There was no pressure on you, no pressure to win the match ... and we played well as a team which the Cowboys are doing now.

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