Some simple words of advice from former Test forward Joel Clinton finally has giant Brisbane youngster Dave Taylor playing like a tough prop.

Clinton handed out a rap for Taylor almost as big as his 116kg frame on Monday, declaring Brisbane's pack capable of matching it with the Dragons and Bulldogs who've set the standard this season.

After a frustrating apprenticeship at the Broncos in which he continually battled weight issues, Taylor is playing the style of football which has Brisbane regretting his decision to join South Sydney in 2010.

Brisbane face a huge game against Canberra in the capital on Saturday, needing a whale of game from Clinton and Taylor against the Raiders who field the biggest forward pack in the NRL.

Taylor, who has stepped up in the absence of injured starting prop Nick Kenny (knee) who is expected back this weekend, recently turned to Clinton for advice.

His response was simple, "run hard".

"Dave's been really good he's stood up for us in the last two or three weeks," said an exhausted Clinton following a gruelling army-style training session on Monday.

"He's gone from grey to gold, he's been unreal.

"He's had a lot of things going on in his head. I just told him to get back to doing what he's good at.

"He's good at being big ... good at running hard.

"I haven't played against any other player this year who's bigger or heavier than Dave so he's not going to take a backward step.

"He's being a front-rower now which is good."

Brisbane, struggling to get back in the top eight after six losses in their past seven games, hope to welcome back six senior players at the weekend headed by skipper Darren Lockyer (knee).

All going to plan, Lockyer will be joined by Origin stars Karmichael Hunt (cork), Sam Thaiday (ribs) and Peter Wallace (hamstring) as well as Kenny (knee) and enforcer Tonie Carroll (knee).

Clinton said Monday's torture session under former cage fighter Chris Haseman had been terrific for the players' morale.

"It was great out there, we got the touch up we needed," he said.

"All the boys were shaking hands and it actually brought everyone really close.

"When Hasey rocks up everyone thinks we're going to be wrestling and breaking each other's neck and stuff.

"He brings a toughness into the team because he's one bloke who doesn't take a backward step."

Clinton believes there's still time for Brisbane to find some form before the finals.

"I've been in some tight situations before in the past, the previous club I was at .... we got the wooden spoon one year," he said.

"I've been in dire straights before and it's been a lot worse than we're in at the moment.

"We know we're in a bit of trouble and the only way out is the fight, scrap and scrape for every point we can get."

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