Brisbane will be after a fast start against Suncorp Stadium specialists the Dragons on Sunday to avoid chasing points on a hot winter's afternoon.

St George Illawarra have won six of their last eight games at the 52,000-seat Brisbane venue and while the heat will be on Brisbane who desperately need the two premiership points, the Dragons will be primed for a huge game by former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.

With the temperature tipped to hit the mid-20s and playing in a dark navy blue jumpers struck specially in memory of their much-loved player scout Cyril Connell who passed away almost 12 months ago, Brisbane have focused all week on making sure they're ready go from the opening seconds.

Last Friday they were flat and possibly too cocky early against a slick Roosters side forced to scratch representative players Mitchell Pearce and Nate Myles just before kick off.

Their effort early in the clash suggested their attitude may have been affected by the late withdrawals.

"It's the players' attitude and energy that they take out there that sets the tone," Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak said.

"For whatever reason last week, and I'm not sure of the reason, but two guys (Pearce and Myles) were ruled out.

"We had a really good performance the week before against the Titans - maybe just thinking it was going to happen again.

"Everyone was reading their own press and forgetting about what actually makes you good.

"As much as you say it won't creep in, it's hard when they're hearing it from everyone.

"A lot of them aren't experienced enough to handle that yet."

Henjak said the attitude has to be set from the opening few plays on Sunday.

"Every game you set the platform by sending a message to your team mates that you are ready to play and that they need to come with you," he said.

"If you lose that early battle of field and ball possession a lot of gas gets taken out of the tank and, if you can't arrest the momentum, you're on the backfoot all day.

"The Dragons are a side that starts very well most weeks and when they get their foot on your throat it's very hard to get back on top."

Brisbane's final training at Red Hill on Saturday morning had a real finals feel about it with hundreds of fans watching.

"We don't usually have this many (fans) here until semi final time and the weather has come on early, it has got a bit of that feel about it," said Henjak.

"These type of games are always a good dress rehearsal.

"Big crowd, lots of atmosphere, a lot riding on the outcome for both teams with St George wanting to bounce back and gain some confidence.

"We love Sunday afternoon games, the ball sticks and the fans usually get to see some exciting attacking football."

While the Dragons are safely into the finals Brisbane need to win to get back into the top eight.

"Two points in the bank would be good but we just don't want to have back-to-back losses and lose momentum, but a loss wouldn't be fatal," said Henjak.

"There's still a lot more twists and turns to come before the finals."

The Dragons had a light run in Brisbane on Saturday morning without any dramas.

It will five-eighth Jamie Soward's 100th NRL game and his 78th for the Dragons.

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