Brisbane assistant coach Ivan Henjak has warned players the first half performance they produced against Canberra last weekend will not be tolerated by the club.

Brisbane received a much-needed boost with hooker Michael Ennis (knee) and back-up hooker PJ Marsh (torn bicep) both cleared to play against the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Henjak refused to shield his players from criticism after they were embarrassed 28-0 by Canberra in the first half of last weekend's 34-16 loss.

"To be honest, it was crap," said Henjak.

"It's not the standard we have here at the Broncos and it's unacceptable.

"If we go out and play like that again in the first half, the game will be over before we know it.

"The players know that and we're hoping it was just one of those games with people coming back from Origin, people being flat, a lot of changes and all our ball players being out."

Henjak said a lot of circumstances contributed to the poor effort, and the forwards had met to thrash out improvements.

"The players don't need to hear (criticism) from anyone outside the club," said Henjak.

"They're their own biggest critics.

"They sit in that room (dressing room) and critique each other and I think that hurts more than anything that comes from outside.

"It would for me anyway if I heard it from my own peers. They've been fairly honest with each other this week and we'll see the results of it tomorrow."

Henjak's comments follow a call earlier in the week from representative forward Sam Thaiday to the club's young players to "shape up or ship out" as the club struggles with its annual Origin period.

"It's a great honour to put on the Broncos jersey and if they don't fulfil the requirements of a Broncos player, they won't be playing for the Broncos," said Thaiday in a clear message to the club's youth.

Both clubs are battling major injury dramas.

Brisbane's backline is missing Peter Wallace, Darren Lockyer, Justin Hodges and Steve Michaels.

The Tigers' pack has been ravaged by injuries, the latest an Achilles problem which has claimed Danny Galea.

Journeyman forward Ryan Tandy will be the new starting prop.

While damaging winger Taniela Tuiaki is due back, Corey Payne and Rocky Trimarchi will be replaced by Liam Fulton and Luke Harlen.

Henjak said Brisbane could not afford to let the Tigers dictate terms.

Brisbane have to follow Parramatta's lead last week and get physical with the Tigers.

"If they're allowed to play the tempo they enjoy then they're a very good football side and that's the challenge for us tomorrow night," said Henjak.

"Benji (Marshall) is starting to get back to form and they've got some dangerous players in (Robbie) Farah, (Brett) Hodgson, and Matty Head's been doing some good things and they've got some strike centres as well."

Asked if he expected Marshall to do "something special" after his turbulent week off the field, Henjak said: "I expect Benji to do something special all the time."

"He's got a bit of pressure on him at the moment, the spotlight is on him and the only way he can answer that is to play well on the football paddock and show his teammates he's committed to them."

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