North Queensland are bracing for the possibility of back-to-back golden point games to start the NRL season ahead of Friday night's showdown with Brisbane.
The Cowboys won their opening-round clash with Canberra 20-16 in golden point and now face a Broncos team they have gone to extra-time with in three of their last four clashes.
Making matters worse for North Queensland is the fact they are met with a slightly shorter six-day turnaround, and will lose part of a day to travel as they head from Townsville to Brisbane.
As such, the Cowboys underwent a shortened session in the tropical heat on Tuesday, as they try to ensure they are in peak condition come Friday night.
"I'm sure mentally everyone will be able to get up for this kind of game but physically today it was a bit hot and flat today," co-captain Matt Scott said on Tuesday.
"I think the game on the weekend has taken a bit out of us physically.
"Now it's time to rest up and make sure we're ready to go."
It's only round two but North Queensland players already expect a finals-like intensity.
The round-four clash between the two sides last season was one of the games of the season, and the 21-20 win for Brisbane marked the fifth consecutive time they had beaten the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.
Scott admitted it was a factor his team might hard find to escape.
"We haven't spoken about it too much but I'm sure it's in the back of everyone's minds," he said.
"I love playing there personally. It's a tough place to win for an away team."
Despite their run at Suncorp, the Cowboys have had the better of their older Queensland brothers in recent years.
After beating them in the 2015 grand final, they held a 2-1 advantage over the Broncos last year, including a semi-final win in Townsville.
Two of those wins had been decided by a field goal, while the other was a converted try in last year's extra-time semi-final - something Scott hoped would work in their favour.
"We've had a little bit of practice over the years, and on the weekend, so if it comes down to the wire hopefully we can do it again," Scott said.
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