Despite equalling his12-goal tally from last season, van Dijk wants more - and hasn't given up challenging Gold Coast United hotshot Smeltz for the top scoring accolade.

"I would like to get closer to Shane Smeltz or even get past him," van Dijk said. "It is going to be difficult task but I still believe I can add some goals to my tally and I hope to do it."

Awards and accolades aside, van Dijk is aware the club's finals aspirations could be tied to his boot laces.

"People always watch how many goals a striker scores," he said. "Sometimes it is even more important than how he good plays. "But for me it is important to be important to the team."

With both clubs still fighting for a spot in the top six, the derby in Townsville is looming as a 'do-or-die' battle between the state rivals.

Van Dijk said Roar were treating the match as their own personal 'grand final'.

"It's a big game, sort of a grand final," he said. "If we can get a win over them, they are in a bad position, and maybe we can get rid of them as competition. (But) if we lose, the play-offs might be in danger.

"Any game we have to give the full 100 percent to win, because everything is still possible. But I think we're up for that and we're going to do our best on Saturday."