Brisbane can blow the NRL minor premiership race wide open if they can successfully shackle dynamic Melbourne duo Cameron Smith and Billy Slater on Friday night at AAMI Park.

Should Brisbane end Melbourne's intimidating seven-game streak - the club's best roll since winning the 2007 grand final - and other results go as predicted, four teams could end the round within two points of each other with six rounds remaining.

Melbourne and Manly, favoured to beat Penrith, would be on top with 32 points, one clear of defending premiers St George Illawarra, who should account for Canberra, with Brisbane on 30.

The Cowboys, who have to survive another five games without champion halfback Johnathan Thurston, can keep in touch on 28 points by beating last-placed Gold Coast.

"Once you get past the rep season, you can see the finish line and all those still in contention are trying to find another gear to jostle for spots," said Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin.

With six Queensland players, including captain Darren Lockyer, Brisbane is better equipped than most to understand how Origin stars Smith and Slater combine.

With Melbourne assistant and former Brisbane multi-premiership winner Kevin Walters pumping up Darren Lockyer as still the best five-eighth in the world, Griffin is talking up the threats posed by Smith in the ruck and Slater from anywhere on the paddock.

Asked if Smith was the best player in the comp or the most influential in the game, he said: "I don't know, that's a tough one.

"He's probably the best hooker in the competition.

"We've got a few (players) who, when they play in Origins and Tests, they win too.

"He's their captain, he handles the ball more than any other player and he's the most influential player in the comp, at least for this week, as far as we're concerned."

Griffin said every team goes to Melbourne with a plan to shut down Smith, one of the toughest defensive assignments in the game.

"Melbourne defend well, they're the best defensive team in the NRL and they attack with composure," said Griffin.

"They attack out of dummy half more precisely than any other team in the competition. It's very hard to defend Smith and Cooper Cronk when they put pressure on your ruck defence."

Griffin isn't placing too much credence on Brisbane's easy 36-14 win last year over Melbourne.

"When we played them down there last time, in fairness to them, they were out of the competition," said Griffin.

Melbourne played most of 2010, unable to earn premiership points, as part of their penalty for cheating the salary cap.

"They didn't have Cameron Smith either, so there were a few variables there," he said.

Lockyer will play his last game in Melbourne against Gareth Widdop, a promising fullback who shifted to five-eighth, as the Queensland champion did in 2004 with the Broncos.

Walters, who wore the No.6 at Brisbane before Lockyer, said five-eighths sadly rarely clash on the field.

"But it's a great challenge for Gaz (Widdop) against someone I think is still the world's best number six," said Walters.

Griffin was asked if he had gained an insight into Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy when he was part of the Storm's coaching staff before linking with Brisbane.

"I didn't work under Craig ... he sacked me," laughed Griffin.

"I didn't quite get that chance but I still know a few guys down there and they're a great club."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP