Michael Morgan expects Brisbane to do whatever they can to slow Jason Taumalolo down but won’t be surprised if the metre-eating forward finds a way around them.

It’s what he’s done since the pair first crossed paths in juniors and how the North Queensland star began his NRL season last week when he munched up a career-best 301 metres in just 21 carries against St George Illawarra.

Friday’s derby will have extra spice as Jordan Kahu and Josh McGuire line up against Brisbane and Shaun Fensom makes his Broncos debut against his former club.

Skipper Morgan said the significance of the occasion would only heighten the attention on the other JT in the post-Thurston era.

“Everyone gets a little more energised for these games,” he said.

“I’m sure after his game last week they’ll make an emphasis on trying to target him (Taumalolo), try and make him tackle.

“He might not have as many opportunities but hopefully he can create some for himself or we can create them for him.

“He’s always been on another level from everyone else and somehow he still is and hopefully he can keep going.”

Morgan is ready for anything in his first derby as captain but would’ve liked what he heard from McGuire on Tuesday.

Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough is hopeful McGuire distracts himself with his renowned niggling on Friday night.

But the Queensland forward wasn’t biting when asked about it, instead lashing the Brisbane pack with praise and saying “he hadn’t thought about” the banter.

“I think they’re really excited for it; I know Moose (McGuire) definitely is,” Morgan said.

“(But) I don’t think he’ll go into the game with that mindset (to seek out confrontations).

“Everyone knows the type of player he is, can be quite aggressive … he’s happy to stick up for someone in his team.

“If that happens, we’ll be glad to have him.”