Australian forward Sam Thaiday could play his way back into the front-row with a big performance in Brisbane's final pre-season hit-out against Redcliffe on Saturday night.

Thaiday prefers the freedom of the second-row but Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak has thrown in a surprise by naming him alongside prop Nick Kenny for Saturday's trial.

And Henjak wouldn't rule out the possibility of returning the Queensland and Australian forward to the front-row for the club's opening NRL clash with the Cowboys next month.

Until naming his 22-man trial squad, it was widely thought either Ashton Sims or Storm recruit Scott Anderson would land the job as Kenny's engine room partner.

"If they (Kenny and Thaiday) go well they could be there (against the Cowboys)," Henjak told AAP on Wednesday.

"I'm still looking for the best combination there.

"Whether we get it from game one ... I'm hoping we do.

"I wouldn't say I was happy with everything, so if that works well for us on Saturday, it might be the way we go."

Thaiday, who has played his way out of the front-row, enjoys playing on the edge in back-row.

Henjak said the ideal scenario would be to leave Thaiday where he was.

"To be honest, Sam's preference and my preference is that we don't have to do that," he said.

"Everyone has their preference as to where they play but it's what's best for the team.

"Sometimes you have to do what you have to do for the team and Sam understands that."

It's a clear message to other players who may feel secure, that they have to step up this weekend, with several youngsters pushing hard for selection against the Cowboys.

Young fullback Josh Hoffman will have a fitness test on his injured ankle on Thursday morning.

Last week's trial star Corey Norman has been named in the No.1 jumper but will share the duties with Hoffman if he gets through tomorrow's training session.

"Josh has worked hard and deserves a chance," said Henjak.

"If he gets through tomorrow he and Corey will share the fullback job, I owe him that."

Henjak meanwhile refused to put any minutes on how much time Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace will spend in the halves.

"We don't have a set plan as in minutes, we'll just see how they go," he said.

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