"The other teams have got games in hand, but obviously they have to win those games or get results," Barbarouses told FoxSports.

"We just have to keep on winning and hopefully we'll end up on top at the end of the season."

He added about the Fury game: "We knew it was going to be a tough game. They had a good win midweek but I think we came out strong.

"We slacked off a bit towards the middle and the end (of the first-half) but we were fairly comfortable in the second-half so we deserved the points."

Barbarouses' brace made in three strikes in two matches for him after scoring the winner last week against Sydney FC and he said it was about time he found some form.

"I went about five games without one," he said. "Other boys were picking up the slack but now I'm back scoring and hopefully I can keep it up leading into the finals."

North Queensland defender Mark Hughes said his side got punished by a quality opponent.

"Brisbane set a good standard and we gave the ball away and they punished us and that's what good sides do," he said.

Hughes also lamented his side's inability to take their chances.

"That's been our problem this year," he said. "When we're on top of teams we don't punish them by scoring goals, we need to start scoring more from open play.

"We need to take a look at ourselves. Sometimes we invite a lot of pressure on ourselves and we've seen tonight the best teams punish you."