The Brumbies could lock up top spot - and thus hosting rights for the Australian competition's decider - with a win over the Western Force at Canberra Stadium on Friday.

But doing so against the rank outsiders who are still searching for a breakthrough victory is anything but a fait accompli for this inside the Brumbies camp.

Brumbies back-rower Will Miller says the competition favourites would be doing themselves a major disservice if they were to take the Force lightly this week.

Motivation for an Australian derby is never hard to come by - and there could be no shortage for the Brumbies this week as they look to maintain their stranglehold on top spot.

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Now the chance to play in front of a slightly bigger crowd looms as another carrot for the ladder leaders, who can welcome up to 3000 - a fair increase on the 1500 Miller has grown accustomed to.

"The first week was probably the most noticeable, but as time has gone by it has become the new norm now," Miller said.

"It's definitely always better to play here though because Brumbies fans really do get behind you. It's great to see we get an extra 1500 people from last game.

"The crowds have been good anyway, very vocal and good to play in front of. That would be good to have that top spot, but the Force is our next game and that's our main priority at the moment.

"If you're worrying too much about looking too far ahead, you start to lose focus on small things and that's where we come undone.

"They've got excellent players, they've got a lot of players there that have been all over the place and played at different levels.

"They're a team that could hurt anyone, that's the good thing about this competition so far. Anyone on their day could win a game, so we'll show up and play our brand of footy."

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar is confident his squad will avoid the trap of complacency against a Force outfit kept on the road desperately hunting its first win of the season.

"I don't think we'll have any issues with complacency with our boys," McKellar said.

"These guys are a pretty humble group and respect the opposition. We know a lot of them, and know if we don't give them that respect and turn up with intensity in our performance, we'll be disappointed.

"It'll be nice for members and supporters to have the opportunity to get here and watch the boys play live.

"As a team we took some steps forward last week with our attack, we just wanted to release the shackles a little bit. You want people in the stands being able to enjoy watching it."

SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND NINE

Friday: ACT Brumbies v Western Force at Canberra Stadium, 7.05pm.

Brumbies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Connal McInerney, 3. Allan Alaalatoa (c), 4. Murray Douglas, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Lachlan McCaffrey, 7. Will Miller, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Bayley Kuenzle, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Solomone Kata, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Folau Fainga'a, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Rob Valetini, 21. Nic White, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Len Ikitau.

Force squad: 1. Pek Cowan, 2. Andrew Ready, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Ollie Atkins, 6. Fergus Lee-Warner, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Henry Stowers, 9. Ian Prior, 10. Jono Lance, 11. Brad Lacey, 12. Henry Taefu, 13. Kyle Godwin, 14. Marcel Brache, 15. Jack McGregor. Replacements: 16. Feleti Kaitu'u, 17. Chris Heiberg, 18. Tom Sheminant, 19. Tevin Ferris, 20. Brynard Stander, 21. Nick Frisby, 22. Richard Kahui, 23. Jake Strachan.