Captain Sam Thaiday doesn't care about statistics that say his Broncos have virtually no chance of winning the NRL premiership from eighth spot.

Brisbane stumbled into the finals after breaking a six-game losing run with a hard fought 19-12 victory over Penrith last Friday.

The Broncos play fifth ranked North Queensland in an elimination final in Townsville on Saturday night.

If the AFL's experience with the top-eight system is any guide, NRL teams can all but rule out a shot at the grand final if they don't finish in the top four.

Since the system was introduced to the AFL in 2000, no side from outside the four has made the grand final and only one from fifth or below has even gone past the second week of the finals.

Rugby league used the system in 1995-96 and has returned this year after using the McIntyre system from 1999.

Canterbury's 1995 team was the last to win the premiership from outside the top four.

"I don't care too much for stats. People say no team's won it from eighth before but at this present time any team can win this competition and we want that to be us," Thaiday said.

"Hook's (coach Anthony Griffin) been telling us that if we can get in there (finals) we are in there with a shot.

"It takes a lot of hard work and determination to get there but we have the belief and confidence that we can do it."

Thaiday is wary of the Cowboys and particularly his Queensland State of Origin teammate Johnathan Thurston who steered his side to an impressive 36-22 win over Cronulla last Sunday.

"It's tough to keep him quiet and the only way you can do that I think is by owning that middle third of the field," Thaiday said.

"I think if we can own and try and dominate that middle of the field that's where we can stop his go forward. He bounces off the back of James Tamou and Matty Scott and Aaron Payne."