Former Brisbane captains Gorden Tallis and Allan Langer have noticed glimpses of the "old Broncos" during the club's five-game winning streak which has taken them to the top of the NRL ladder.

But like another former skipper and current Queensland selector, Gene Miles, neither is willing to declare them 2005 premiers just yet - especially with the club's long-time State of Origin nemesis looming.

Bookmakers think differently, impressed enough with the Broncos' string of victories to have them at the head of premiership betting markets, despite doubting the club's credentials at the start of the season.

Four-time premiership winning captain Langer qualified his comments that Brisbane were playing like the Broncos of old.

"They're scoring a lot more tries than in the past and they're back to throwing the ball around more," said Langer who took Brisbane to premierships in 1992, 93, 97 and 98.

"But it's a bit early to be saying they can win the premiership."

Brisbane's six captains, Wally Lewis (1988-89), Miles (1990-91), Langer (1992-1999), Kevin Walters (1999-2000), Tallis (2001-2004), Darren Lockyer (2005) came together this week to be immortalised in a mural at Suncorp Stadium to be titled "Captains of the Cauldron".

"At stages I think they've looked like the Broncos of old that are going to stumble, while at other times I think they're going to be the premiers," said Tallis who considers himself more of a fan these days since retiring last year.

Tallis said some of the young Brisbane players were failing to cash in on the explosive form of Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva and Brad Thorn.

"That's what I'm missing," he said.

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