Brisbane ended the Bulldogs' NRL premiership campaign last year, now the blue and whites are hell bent on going some way towards repaying the favour at Telstra Stadium on Friday night.

In an NRL blockbuster that could spell disaster for the Broncos premiership defence, the Bulldogs are out for revenge after Brisbane bundled them out of the preliminary finals with a stunning second half revival last September.

The Broncos' cause hasn't been helped with winger Brent Tate ruled out with medial ligament strain in his left knee in Wednesday night's State of Origin win for Queensland.

Skipper Darren Lockyer has been cleared after back soreness but fullback Karmichael Hunt is in serious doubt after he missed training with a foot injury.

Brisbane languish equal last on the NRL table with just four wins, while the Dogs have faired little better with five victories.

Given just six competition points separate third to 16th, another loss wouldn't spell disaster for either side but it won't aide the Broncos who have yet to win successive games this season.

Bulldogs fullback Luke Patten said his side owe Brisbane for bundling them out of last year's competition in the grand final qualifier.

"This is a big game and especially for them because they are two points behind us," said Patten.

"I know it's not going to mean anything coming into this game but we owe them for last year as well.

"They've beaten us probably the last three times we've played and beaten us rather convincingly as well so it's probably time for us to stand up.

"I sort of think with the comp the way it is as well with everything so close if you're going to make a move it has to be around about now.

"It'd be good if we can get on a bit of roll and get a few wins back to back."

Brisbane will have at least five players backing up from the Origin II clash on Wednesday night, while Bulldogs forwards Willie Mason and Andrew Ryan are expected to play after tireless efforts for the losing Blues side.

While it is widely thought the Broncos struggle during the representative season, results show they have won 10 of their past 12 NRL games after the Origin fixtures.

Brisbane utterly humiliated Newcastle 71-6 after Origin I, and Patten knows despite indifferent form this season the Broncos are particularly tough to beat when the players are buoyed by a Queensland victory.

"They are tough, but what can you do. There's sort of no good time to play them," said Patten.

"You expect a tough game whenever you play Brisbane and we'll go out there and do what we do in training and hopefully get a win.

"I'm not going to bag any of them because they will just come out and play a good game.

"If we play well and cut out the silly errors and penalties then we will give ourselves a good chance of winning."

Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes is confident his side can overcome the Broncos after losing all three clashes with them last season.

The Belmore side are coming off a constructive bye weekend and Folkes believes the team are looking better than they have all year.

"The guys have trained quite well this week and probably had two of the best training sessions we've had all year," said Folkes.

"We have played reasonably well over the past month but only come up with two points. We need to keep building on that."

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