The loss against the Broncos was disappointing at the time but it allowed Storm to learn a valuable lesson – the importance of starting well.
In that game Melbourne found themselves eight points down in as many minutes, a slow start that proved costly in the eventual 26-16 defeat.
To their credit Storm responded against the Sharks, scoring the first three tries of the game and keeping the visitors out for nearly 70 minutes.
Make #MelbourneProud this Saturday night. Be at AAMI Park for the Qualifying Final!
Bringing the same amount of effort this weekend against the Cowboys will be non-negotiable.
“Our energy is something Craig spoke about during the week and our willingness to compete in the first 10 minutes,” Cameron Munster said.
“Against the Broncos we weren’t very good energy wise in the first ten and that pretty much lost us the game, this week we’ve just got to bring the energy.
“Our first sets, if it is in attack or off the kick off… I think that is what we lacked in the last couple of weeks, we brought it back against the Sharks and hopefully we can bring it this weekend.”
Storm face no tougher test than the reigning premiers in week one of the NRL Finals.
However spurred on by another packed out AAMI Park, Storm will head into the game confident of emerging with the desired result.
“Obviously they won it last year and they’ve been really consistent, we will need to put on our best performance against them,” Munster said.
“They are going to be really hard to beat down here.. It was really good to have the Melbourne crowd behind us on the weekend.
“At times there we were struggling in the game but they upped the anty and got us back in the game.”