Brisbane forward Josh McGuire hopes the challenge of taking on the NRL's top two teams in the next fortnight brings the best out of his teammates as they look to cement a spot in the finals.
The Broncos had a top-four spot in their sights but have dropped to eighth on the ladder following successive defeats to cellar-dwellers Canterbury and North Queensland.
Now they are at risk of being leapfrogged by a resurgent Wests Tigers over the next two weeks with tough clashes against South Sydney at home and then Sydney Roosters away to come.
McGuire believes the Broncos generally play at the level of their opposition anyway, saying there is no sense of panic inside the playing group about their situation.
"We usually seem to be playing good footy against good teams. You don't really get any bigger test than the top two teams," McGuire told reporters on Monday.
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"We know the situation in front of us. If we keep winning, we'll be fine. The season's in our own hands."
McGuire missed last week's thrilling 34-30 loss to the Cowboys in Townsville due to a one-week suspension he copped for pulling the hair of Bulldogs lock Adam Elliot.
He said it wasn't "ideal" to be watching the derby from the sidelines and didn't provide a direct response when asked if he could guarantee he wouldn't pull an opponent's hair again.
"I'm just going to play footy and do my job for the team," McGuire said.
"It's up to the NRL, how they want to charge it. I'm good with the boys and just looking forward to this week."
McGuire also insisted Brisbane players weren't distracted by the uncertainty surrounding Wayne Bennett's future as coach.
Broncos players have been gagged from making any comment on the matter until the end of the season.
"Obviously the coach and the club's asked us not to comment on that," McGuire said.
"We won't be talking about that until the season's over."
