Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin has warned his players that Cronulla's international forward pack have the punch to deliver a knockout blow to the Broncos' NRL top four aspirations at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Griffin won't admit it publicly but the battle with the Cowboys for fourth place, which carries the bonus of a home final, is a priority for both clubs who are locked together on the NRL ladder on 28 points.

He's expecting Sharks skipper Paul Gallen to ignore the risks of a nagging calf muscle injury and play after travelling to Brisbane with the team on Thursday.

The NSW State of Origin captain was rated little chance of playing earlier in the week but insiders say he's improved and wants to play.

Gallen has the stunning return of 317 hit-ups in 21 games, with an average of almost 180 metres a match.

"We haven't got any word. I just know he's a real tough competitor and if he's anywhere near close to playing, he'll be playing," said Griffin.

"We're preparing as if he'll be playing."

With the Sharks season on the line Griffin issued an alert to his players to respect their pack.

"Cronulla are a very difficult side to play, they're very strong in the forwards and they play a very physical and grinding game. You have to have a tough attitude to get into mix with them," he said.

"They've been a little bit inconsistent but they've got an international forward pack with (Kade) Snowden, (Luke) Douglas is a rep player, (Anthony) Tupou, Gallen and Jeremy Smith and then they've got two young halves - Chad Townsend and Wade Graham - who are in good form and Nathan Gardner at the back who is in good form.

"Those young guys go out and back themselves off the work of their forwards.

"They're hard to shut down, they've got a lot of off-loads in them and it's going to be a really gruelling battle in the middle."

Cronulla fancy their chances of an upset, but they need Gallen on the field.

His influence was never more evident than when he didn't play last weekend - the Sharks failed to get on the scoreboard at home against Newcastle.

Brisbane meanwhile have been forced to make a late change with Mitchell Dodds (shoulder) replaced on the bench by young prop Dave Hala.

Scott Anderson will start in the front row with Ben Hannant.

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