Giant Brisbane forward Brad Thorn is a definite starter for the NRL season-opener against North Queensland on March 13 despite playing just 20 minutes late in the 26-20 trial win over Canberra at Toowoomba on Saturday night.

Thorn's pre-season was disrupted by a niggling hamstring injury.

Thorn proved difficult to handle with his first hit-up but took the ball forward just twice more.

Despite his limited game time since returning from rugby union in the off-season, Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett declared him a certain starter against the Cowboys.

"He's had that hamstring problem and that's why we only kept him to 20 minutes," Bennett said.

"The physio probably didn't want him to play tonight but I just thought he needed to have a run."

Thorn said his return to league had been "hard work".

"I went out with 20 minutes to go and I looked up and there was a minute on the clock," Thorn said.

"I'll be working pretty hard over the next two weeks but I'm loving it.

"It's just great to be back playing with my old team-mates and enjoying footy."

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