Playing the NRL preliminary final against Sydney Roosters in enemy territory holds no fear for Melbourne, whose away record has been so good this season they’ve even tried to simulate that experience when they play at home.
While the Storm are playing in their fifth consecutive grand final qualifier, it’s the first away from Melbourne since 2008, when they knocked off Cronulla at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Melbourne have only lost five times this season, for of those at home, including their qualifying final against Canberra which resulted in them losing their home preliminary final status and putting them on the path to an early grand final rematch.
In contrast, the Roosters have won nine-straight matches at the SCG, outscoring their opponents 336-72 in the process.
Storm lock Dale Finucane thought the structure of an away game helped the team’s focus.
“Our away record has been better this year than at home for whatever reason, I think because we’ve got that more structured set-up of the day,” Finucane said.
‘When we are away we’re all together and we go for a team walk … we come back together two-and-half hours before the game and have a meeting before you get on the bus, so by structuring it that way it gives the boys more of a focus before they come into the game.”
Due to Melbourne’s impressive away record he said they tried to replicate it before their rousing semi-final win over Parramatta.
“With a home game you’ve got boys rolling in anywhere between two-and-a-half hours and an hour-and-a-half out,” Finucane said.
“We all got in last weekend at an organised time where we did that and had a meeting, like we would when we were away … I think by doing that, it obviously worked for us.”
Five-eighth Cameron Munster hasn’t played on the SCG but has had some big game experience on ovals – this year playing State of Origin with Queensland on Perth’s Optus Oval and also the round 15 match against the Roosters on Adelaide Oval.
Last year he was part of the losing Maroons squad that played on the MCG.
Munster said playing at the larger ground could help the Storm.
“One thing I noticed is that the crowds were a lot further away then at rugby league grounds and at times you feel like you’re playing by yourself out there,” Munster said.
“It might work in our favour as you will feel like no one’s around and it will take the pressure off.
“It will probably be a hostile environment as no one likes us too much in Sydney, so there will be a lot of fans heckling us but we probably wont be hearing it.”
