Brisbane halfback Peter Wallace claims he'll be operating behind the NRL's best forward pack this season.

With the possibility of Australian forward Sam Thaiday switching to play in the front-row alongside star recruit Ben Hannant, Wallace believes the bulked-up Broncos have the power, skill and depth to muscle up against any forward unit.

"I think it's the best pack in the NRL, it's not just big, it's also very mobile with a lot of strike power," said Wallace on Friday.

"They're not just bash and barge, they can pass and they've got some skill.

"We were probably a little light on (in the forwards) last year.

"With Benny (Ben Hannant) coming back and (Dane) Carlaw back and all those young fellas like Mitchell Dodds and Josh McGuire a year older and wiser, we've got a lot of depth there."

Returning from off-season surgery on the shoulder injury he carried through the final rounds of 2010, former NSW Origin No.7 Wallace warned the Broncos also had the backline to capitalise on forward ascendancy.

"Having Hodgy (centre Justin Hodges) back is like having another player too because he didn't play at all last year," he said.

"Young Dane Gagai was outstanding in the trial last week and he's quick and so are Gerard Beale and Jharal Yow Yeh, so we've got the speedsters to cash in on the work of our forwards."

Brisbane are $17 chances with bookmakers to win the premiership in rookie coach Anthony Griffin's first season and Wallace likes their chances provided key players stay healthy.

"We're looking really good I think," he said.

Wallace said he would maintain his high defensive workload despite calls for him to stay out of the front line and save his energy.

"I don't mind tackling, it gets me into the game. I just do what I have to for the team," he said.

"If I feel I'm out of gas at any stage I'll push out a little wider for a set or something but after a set or so I'm back into it.

"If tackles have to be made, you make them I suppose."

Wallace has had a tough run with injuries in his three seasons in Brisbane.

"Having a good pre-season under my belt is going to do me the world of good, I didn't have one last year," he said.

With skipper Darren Lockyer showing signs of returning to his running best and young hooker Andrew McCullough determined to step his game up another notch, Wallace could be headed for a big season.

"Locky is going great, I think all these young blokes have given him a new lease of life," said Wallace.

"He's at his best when he is running the ball and he's got that turn of speed back that makes him dangerous."

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