McCullough backs halves to ignite attacking flow

The Broncos are seeking more composure in attack in the run to the finals and hooker Andrew McCullough is backing halves combination Darius Boyd and Jake Turpin to deliver.

Brisbane host Penrith at Suncorp Stadium on Friday knowing better shape and organisation at the end of their sets will be needed than was on show in the last-gasp 18-14 win over North Queensland.

Boyd and Turpin have played together in the halves for the past five games where the Broncos have lost on just once - a 40-4 defeat at the hands of Melbourne.

Their move into eighth position on the ladder has come largely on the back of powerhouse displays by the forwards.

The Broncos are yet to hit their straps with their backline plays and coach Anthony Seibold said after the win over the Cowboys that "we were really frantic attacking the try-line and we've got to continue to improve there".

McCullough said that would need to happen sooner rather than later with a tough month on the horizon.

"As a group, we can get quite excited when we have got down there and tried to capitalise but we need to stay a bit more patient ... rather than trying to score off every play," McCullough said.

"We improved our defence last week and that is something we want to maintain this time of the year.

"It is getting to be a very tight contest and there is a lot of desperation in a lot of teams so effort areas, defensively and finishing the end of our sets a bit more cleanly and in the right field position will certainly help our case."

McCullough defended Boyd and Turpin and said their development had been "really good".

"They have had six games together and it is a work in progress. Overall they both bring a different set of skills," he said.

"Darius makes the calls on field position and Turps is just an energetic footballer who is happy just being there.

"He is certainly happy doing his role at the moment and that is a sign of a good team culture when other blokes are happy to play in different positions."

Rookie forward Patrick Carrigan, like prop Payne Haas, got a lot out of the 40-4 loss to the Melbourne Storm. He noted the competition leaders' cohesion and teamwork across the park and said the Broncos needed to follow suit.

"Out of Melbourne I learned how clinical they are and everyone plays their role. It is almost as though everyone is moving in the same direction and that is where we got found out a bit," Carrigan said.

"There was a lot of effort from the lads but we were probably trying to do it one-out.

"Against the Cowboys, it was good to get the win and for Jakey Turpin to get that try at the end.

"The Melbourne game we took a lot out of and learned a few things. If we want to be a top team, let alone try and push for finals, that is where we have got to be."

The Broncos can't finish in the top four but McCullough said they could still do some damage the finals.

"I’d like to think so. I think you can certainly get on a bit of a roll," he said.

"If things start gelling you can nail three good games and get an ugly win here or there and start getting some confidence.

"I think a few teams start to get a bit nervous when you are coming up against a team that is slowly starting to put a bit of form together."