Cowboys eager to change sluggish start

Recalled North Queensland centre Ty Williams sees Friday night's NRL blockbuster derby against Brisbane as the perfect chance to invigorate the Cowboys' "sluggish" start to the season.

Williams, dropped to the Queensland Cup last week after the 36-18 loss to the Gold Coast, returns to the starting line-up in place of the suspended Ash Graham.

The former Queensland Origin flyer believes the much-anticipated clash with their traditional rivals will bring the best out of the Cowboys.

"It is a good opportunity for us to turn our season around on Friday night," said Williams.

"We always seem to rise to this occasion because it is special, everyone marks it on their calendar.

"It is more of a big brother versus little brother - they think they always have the wood on us but we like to go down there and rip in and show them that we are probably one of the best Queensland sides."

Averaging just over two tries per game this season, Williams said believes it was time the Cowboys backline delivered.

"We create enough opportunities to score tries, we just need to finish them," he said.

"That is part and parcel with the outside backs and is what we get paid to do and it is something that we will be working hard for this weekend.

"We have worked on a fair bit this week, attacking wise."

Cowboys coach Graham Murray said Williams and utility David Faiumu would come into the side full of confidence after a commanding performance in the Queensland Cup.

"I watched their game for the Northern Pride and both fellows had a big influence on that football team," said Murray.

"That is a good indicator that they went back with good attitude and played well for the Pride and came back into the side."

Murray said his side had to improve their ball security coming up against the red-hot Broncos.

"Lockyer gets a little bit better with each time he plays and with 80 per cent completions last week we are going to have to up our ball control so it will be a tough game," he said.

"Our discipline has got to improve that is one area we have worked pretty hard on and probably our execution.

"A couple of times last week I reckon we could have scored tries if the execution had been a bit better but we are just off the mark. But it doesn't take long to turn that around,."