Gold Coast have hit back at suggestions by former Brisbane captain Gorden Tallis that their forwards will struggle in their first NRL finals campaign.

The Titans host Brisbane in Saturday night's qualifying final at Skilled Park, but Tallis said in a newspaper column their pack was "out of its league" in finals football and would struggle against the bigger Broncos.

His criticism has been met with a derision by Titans chief executive Michael Searle who says his club's mobile pack would get the job done against Brisbane, despite the Broncos having won their past five matches.

"I respect Gorden and his opinions but clearly I think he is wrong on this occasion," Searle said.

"Our forwards are a fiery mob. They may not be the biggest men but neither was Trevor Gillmeister who is their tutor.

"It will be a very quick game on the night and it will be very interesting to see how the big men handle the fast track.

"Our boys have been bagged all year about their ability to muscle up. They've been out-muscled by every club, apparently, if you talk to Sydney journalists.

"(We) Gold Coast and Brisbane couldn't even get a guernsey at the Dally M's, so clearly we're both doing something wrong."

"But I'm really happy with the forward pack we have got."

Brisbane will start pronounced favourites to win the clash even though the Titans finished three spots ahead of them on the minor premiership ladder and just two points behind minor premiers St George.

The head-to-head between the two clubs stands at three apiece although Brisbane have been to the finals for the last 17 straight seasons which gives them a massive edge in experience.

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