MARATHON man Jade North is adamant that Brisbane’s busy recent schedule will enhance the Roar’s chances of ending the unbeaten run of fresh A-League leaders Sydney FC at Suncorp Stadium tonight.

The Roar will again embrace a “State of Origin” mentality in their bid to down the Sky Blues.

They will don their popular all-maroon strip and go into the contest with the words of Queensland rugby league royalty Trevor Gillmeister ringing in their ears.

A guest at Brisbane training on Thursday, Gillmeister urged the Roar squad to ramp up the pressure on the Sydneysiders, who are yet to lose in 17 A-League matches this season.

“One thing about the New South Wales blokes … if you put them under pressure they turn into individuals and they work for themselves, and they’re a bit selfish,” Gillmeister said.

“That’s across all footy codes. Put them under the pump and I reckon they’ll fold.”

Roar captain Matt McKay with Origin legend Trevor Gillmeister. Picture: Liam Kidston Source: News Limited

North, the 35-year-old defender who is yet to miss a minute of football in all competitions for Brisbane this season, had no doubt the Roar were primed to beat Sydney.

That’s despite the absence of suspended in-form attacker Brandon Borrello, the Roar being in the midst of a hectic A-League and AFC Champions League schedule — including Tuesday night’s 6-0 thrashing of Filipino outfit Global FC ¬ and a refreshed Sydney not having played since Australia Day.

“Absolutely we can beat them,” North said.

“They’ve got a target on their back and we want to win the game.

“I’d rather play Sydney now when we’re playing a lot of games, and we’re winning and building confidence.”

Sydney coach Graham Arnold believes juggling the commitments of two competitions will eventually catch up with the Roar as it did with his team last year.

Arnold also played down the “State of Origin” theme to Friday’s match and promised his side would not “fold” under pressure.

“That’s in rugby league, not in football,” Arnold said.

“My squad’s got five foreigners, a couple of Queenslanders, a player from Western Australia and an assistant coach who’s from Queensland … it’s not State of Origin.

“But if this kind of thing brings more people to the match, then great.”

Like North, Roar attacking midfielder Brett Holman was born in New South Wales but there was no doubting where his allegiances would lie tonight as he applauded Gillmeister’s presence at training.

“When I was growing up, these were the sort of players I was watching when you’re talking about State of Origin football,” Holman said.

“It’s great for them to come down and give us some words of wisdom.

“It’s going to be a cracking game. They’re going to be up for it with a massive goal of keeping their unbeaten record going this year and we’re playing at Suncorp (Stadium) which is our home and we want to knock them off.”