They’re 1878 kilometres away from home and yet right where they almost always are come the NRL finals.

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was still in nappies while Ryan Papenhuyzen wasn’t even at school the last time Melbourne missed the finals, apart from the 2010 season when they were ineligible.

Even the Storm’s relocation to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast way back in June hasn’t dented their annual finals appearance.

It was supposed to be for two weeks, ahead of their round-eight match, but became the season with COVID-19 still troubling in Victoria.

Leaving behind AAMI Park, where they played twice early in the season, Melbourne have made a new home at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Despite the challenge of same-day interstate travel, which often sees the team only arrive back at their hotel at 3am, they have won 11 of 13 games.

Preparing for their preliminary final against Canberra on Friday night in Brisbane, winger Josh Addo-Carr said the Storm group had never been tighter.

“It’s been a blessing in disguise for us in terms of bonding as a team,” Addo-Carr said.

“It’s had its challenges but it’s definitely made us closer as a team.

‘I’ve been here for four or five years and I feel like this year we’re the closest we’ve ever been.

“It’s definitely showing out on the field how important being close to your teammates is.

“We’ve got a really young group but we’re even closer with the senior boys as well as they’ve got big families they have to look after, but being together all the time has been pretty special – I think it’s one of biggest reasons for our success so far.”

The players and coaches make up less than half of the 132-strong group in the resort bubble.

There are school lessons, a creche and partners and kids meeting over meal times rather than just matches.

Known for his infectious laugh, Addo-Carr, as well as Cameron Munster, are the self-appointed social coordinators, while four players have set up a thriving sports card trading business to keep them busy in their down-time.

“I think it just comes down to my personality – I just laugh at anything really,” Addo-Carr said.

“I try to bring a good energy to the group and try to put a smile on my teammates’ face.

“We’ve got some good characters in our team who have bonded our team together.”

Due to the strict biosecurity measures, there’s no outings to nearby Noosa or coffee in Mooloolaba with the players and their families only allowed out of the “bubble” for just 24 hours in the past nine weeks.

They’ve only had one “hiccup” with Christian Welch getting into hot water by having an unapproved guest.

As well as playing cards and guitar singalongs with Dale Finucane and Cooper Johns, table tennis is a big hit among the players.

Papenhuyzen said Nicho Hynes got the better of Munster in the final this week to take the title of Storm champion after unsettling his opponent with a Conor McGregor-style ring walk entrance.

“The boys get around it and it’s just something to add a bit of fun to the group,” Papenhuyzen said.

“It was a good atmosphere – they set it up like a boxing arena and had the lights going and had the entrances.

“Nicho walked in with a bit of confidence – he rattled Munster when he delayed his walk-in for two minutes and he came in with that.”

Papenhuyzen, 22, said moments like that had helped ease what could easily be a tense environment.

“It’s really brought us closer and the same with the families with partners hanging out with ones that they wouldn’t have before,” he said.

“We had to make good of the situation we’re in and it’s been really good.”

The Storm players wear a ‘V’ on the front of their jersey as well as “Our Home – Victoria” across their chest.

They regularly speak of winning for their fans – many of whom are still living under severe COVID-19 restrictions.

Giant prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona recently pointed to the ‘V’ after scoring a try to acknowledge those fans, saying the sacrifice of being away was as much for them as for each other.

“It hasn’t been tough in terms of living arrangements but in terms of missing people in Melbourne, 100 per cent,” Asofa-Solomona said.

“My mum and dad are there and my friends are there

“We just want to put a show on for them every week. This whole season is dedicated to the people back in Victoria.”