The Sydney Roosters are backing Allianz Stadium to be the burial ground for the North Queensland after the Cowboys' inspired run through the NRL finals.
After ending Cronulla's title defence and then seeing off Parramatta in another upset without superstar playmaker Johnathan Thurston, the Cowboys face the Roosters in their third straight grand final qualifier on Saturday night.
But while the Cowboys' two gallant wins have come at neutral venues, the Roosters will very much enjoy home-ground favouritism as they chase a first grand final berth since hoisting the trophy in 2013.
The Roosters have won their past 10 clashes at Allianz, unbeaten since an 18-12 round-five loss to Manly in March.
It's the best home record in the league, superior even to the Melbourne's two defeats at AAMI Park and where Roosters coach Trent Robinson expects his side to excel after a priceless week off to physically and mentally recharge.
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"Part of playing your footy is knowing your surroundings and that's a good thing for us. Having to play here, we've made it a bit of a fortress so we want to continue that," Robinson said.
While the Cowboys have defied the odds in the absence of Thurston and Test prop Matt Scott, Robinson is chuffed to have virtually a full-strength outfit available.
He is confident of winger Daniel Tupou being available after suffering a groin strain in the Roosters' 24-22 win over Brisbane.
"It's good to have choice at this time of the year," Robinson said.
"You choose a squad at the start of the season and hopefully you get that choice at the back-end of the year.
"That's what we've done almost last week and we will have for next week so it's good competition for spots.
"We've got some guys that are playing their first finals series, guys who have been brought on the last couple of years, and we've got some guys that have been there a lot.
"In the end, it's about playing your style of footy no matter what the circumstances, whether it's a trial game, a round game or a finals game.
"It's about striving to play your best footy for 80 minutes. The reward's high, the motivation's high and I'm definitely sure motivation's not an issue."
