North Queensland coach Neil Henry says it would be ridiculous for his team to dwell on their poor performance in Friday's 14-6 NRL loss to Canterbury.

Henry warned a repetition of that effort in next Friday's all-Queensland clash with Brisbane would result in another defeat.

The incentive of cementing a a top-four spot will be on the line in Townsville.

Henry lamented a woeful kicking game and a lack of sustained enthusiasm and commitment from his side against the Bulldogs.

He refused to use injuries to co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott as an excuse, but the Cowboys rarely produced the flair that has become their trademark.

With livewire fullback Matt Bowen in uncharacteristically subdued mood, North Queensland lacked attacking spark.

"We've relied on Matty Bowen for a few weeks and he was a bit quiet tonight and if he's quiet we need other people to step up and they didn't," Henry told reporters.

"The best thing we can do about that is forget about that performance and move on.

"(If) We dwell over that, it's ridiculous.

"There's a short turnaround, we get back home and we build into a big game next week.

"If we turn up like that we won't beat the Broncos, we know that.

"We've been riding OK for the last four or five weeks and that's a wake up call.

"We'll all have to have a little rethink there about what we do, coaching staff and players included."

Henry said it was touch and go whether Thurston would return next week after missing the last five matches with a knee injury.

He said the Queensland halfback was running at almost full pace, but hadn't yet done any skill and contact work.

"The motivation for him would be to be right for the Broncos game, It's a big game for us," Henry said.

"But we're not going to risk him at the back end of the season, if we really have to wait an extra week.

"With the seven-day turnaround we'll know by Tuesday or Wednesday whether or not he's right to go.

Henry said prop Scott (back) and winger Kalifa Faifai Loa (hamstring) could both be back for the Brisbane game.

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