When Anthony Griffin was sacked by Brisbane last month, the Broncos players immediately spoke about trying to win the premiership for their outgoing coach.

Fast forward three weeks and the Broncos have gone from sixth to 10th on the NRL ladder following last weekend’s loss to Manly and are now just trying to make the finals, let alone win the whole competition.

After five losses from their past six matches, Brisbane forward Sam Thaiday admits time is running out for the Broncos in their bid to reach the top eight.

“It’s getting to that point at the moment isn’t it?,” Thaiday said.

“The closer we come to the finals, if we continue to lose, it’s do-or-die. We’re just about there at the moment.”

The Broncos host Canterbury this Friday in a game which is also looking crucial for the visitors, who have been defeated in their past three matches.

The game will also pit Broncos recruit Ben Barba against his former club, although the 2012 Dally M winner is yet to get anywhere near his best form since leaving the Bulldogs.

Thaiday believes Barba’s recent switch to five-eighth is an exciting one, with everyone at the club hopeful it can bring the best out of the 25-year-old.

“Looking forward to seeing him really stand up and hopefully he can really embrace that No.6 position,” Thaiday said.

“He’s been wanting to get into that No.6 jersey and play at five-eighth. It’d be good to see him really put his hand up against the Bulldogs.”

Thaiday says he and the rest of the Broncos’ forward will also have to stand up against the Bulldogs’ monster pack.

“They’ve got great size, great skill in their forward pack. They play off the back of those big forwards,” he said.

“It’s something we haven’t done for a while, have a dominant game as a forward pack over another forward pack.

“It’s a challenge for myself and the other forwards in the team this week, especially up against some of the other forwards they’ve got in their side.”