Storm looking to build into finals

Don't tell Will Chambers Melbourne's match against the Raiders is a dead rubber.

The Storm are going to finish first on the NRL ladder regardless of the result on Saturday night, but with some player milestones, a departing legend and finals around the corner, the Melbourne centre says there's plenty to play for.

"We've still got a lot on the line," Chambers said. 

"You need to be playing good footy leading into the back end of the year, it’s crazy to think you've got nothing on the line.

"We've got another tough game this week, you could say we've got nothing on the line this week, but you want to keep going on momentum and rolling forward, we know we've got to put together another 80-minute performance and get ready for the back end of the year."

The Storm's match against the Raiders will be the major sporting event in Melbourne at the weekend with no AFL matches scheduled. It is a match that will see captain Cameron Smith equal Darren Lockyer's record of 355 NRL games and Cooper Cronk will play his last home game before finals. 


Chambers and Cronk used to live together when the centre moved to Melbourne as an 18-year-old. He said the star number seven wouldn't want any extra attention.

"I don't think Cooper wants much done," he said. 

"You know what [he's] like, he shies away from it and just wants to play good footy and perform. I'm sure the boys will make sure they give it their best for Cooper this weekend. 

"He's been a big part of this club for a long time. Everyone always talks about the 'Big Three' and he's the first of them to go. It's going to be sad a moment when he does finally finish and whenever that is, and then you've got the other two boys here and Craig. We'll just keep moving forward."

Buoyed by a six-game winning streak and a record scoreline at AAMI Park, you could forgive the Storm playing group for celebrating early. Chambers says their performances have instilled some good self-belief heading into finals footy.

"Not much has changed to be honest," he said. 

"We've strung together some good performances, and the group is believing in ourselves. We're just going along well and making sure that we're best we can each week. It leaves it in good stead for the back end. We just need to make sure we keep the momentum going forward and see how you go."

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