Josh McGuire says the Broncos have a mammoth challenge on their hands if they are going to reach the NRL finals in 2013. Source: Adam Armstrong / CourierMail
LIVING up to the Broncos' past is just as daunting as sealing the NRL club's finals future, judging by prop Josh McGuire on Monday.
However, the Broncos enforcer has backed their current player group to fight their way out of their 2013 slump despite calls for the club to secure marquee signings.
Brisbane must win six of their last seven games to keep their slim finals hopes alive, starting with a crunch Townsville derby with North Queensland on Friday night.
If unsuccessful, Brisbane will miss the finals for only the second time in 21 years.
But McGuire said the Broncos were no strangers to pressure thanks to the six-time premier's glittering past success.
"I think the whole year has been a test of character," he said.
"You feel the pressure all year playing at this club - it's such a prestigious club.
"But it's do or die now.
"Words are done. It's time to start putting runs on the board."
In a clash billed as the most important derby since their 2004 elimination final in Townsville, North Queensland will be bolstered by their Origin contingent of Johnathan Thurston, Brent Tate and Test props Matt Scott and James Tamou.
While McGuire joked that he hoped playmaker Thurston "tripped over something" and be ruled out, it was Scott and Tamou that concerned him the most.
"They are probably two of the best front-rowers in the competition at the moment," McGuire said.
"We've got to be on our game if we want to dominate in the middle."
McGuire and his Broncos teammates were greeted on Monday morning by Brisbane great Darren Lockyer calling for both Test skipper Cameron Smith and code hopper Karmichael Hunt to be signed by the NRL club in newspaper reports.
But McGuire believed Brisbane had the cattle to test the best - they just needed to regain the confidence.
"We are a tight group but it is just a tough period at the moment," he said.
"I think we have the group here (to threaten the best). We've got a great bunch of blokes and talented footballers who have all the skills, we've just got to put the runs on the board.
"I am sure that will come."
Asked about Smith linking with Brisbane in 2015, McGuire said: "I think any club would think he is an asset but I am good mates with (current hooker Andrew McCullough) Macca and my full support is behind him at the moment.
"But it's up to the club what direction they want to go in."
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