Roar now face the prospect of being the first team in the competition to lose to North Queensland when they enter the fray at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

Farina suggested the side's focus was entirely on stopping Fury - who hit fine form last weekend with a 3-3 draw in Adelaide.

"I don't really care about that (the rivalry), as long as we keep climbing up the ladder - that's what matters most to me," he said. "The derbies will always have a special significance and yeah we'd like to win it, but more so for the three points."

Farina believed Fury's marquee man Robbie Fowler was still off his best, but nonetheless one of the best players in the competition.

The Roar coach added: "He's getting the ball and when he does have the ball at his feet he brings people into play.

"He can still finish, as we saw last weekend.

"He's just getting better as he's getting fitter and match sharp."