Copley can't argue with Storm dominance

Broncos centre Dale Copley admits he can't argue with Melbourne's dominant record over Brisbane ahead of Friday night's must win NRL clash.

It may not make pretty reading but Brisbane centre Dale Copley admits he can't argue with Melbourne's remarkable record against the Broncos.

However, Copley says Brisbane are not daunted by the prospect of sealing an NRL finals berth with a win in Melbourne on Friday night after being "lucky" enough to play must-win games the past fortnight.

Copley initially admitted on Tuesday he couldn't remember the last time Brisbane won in Melbourne.

No wonder.

Brisbane have only triumphed once at AAMI Park - 36-14 way back in round nine 2010 against a Storm side without captain Cameron Smith.

Overall, Melbourne have won 14 of 16 clashes against Brisbane since the 2006 NRL grand final, including the last seven straight.

Copley admitted he wasn't surprised by Melbourne's dominance.

"There's a pretty good reason history shows that - they are a bloody good team," he said.

"I can't remember the last time we won down there.

"But I don't think we would be the only ones with a poor record in Melbourne.

"There's a reason that it's a graveyard."

But Copley believed keeping their top eight hopes alive with wins against the Dragons and Newcastle in the past fortnight had them in the right mindset for another sudden death clash in Melbourne.

"We've been lucky. We've had the finals come three weeks early," he said.

"Again it is do or die. If we win, we're in.

"We've had a lot of pressure on us, there have been big buildups to games.

"As a footballer this is what you enjoy. It has been a good couple of weeks.

"But it doesn't mean anything if it doesn't go our way on Friday night."

Melbourne (7-4 record) have not been as dominant at home this season - and Broncos prop Ben Hannant believed they would take some confidence from that.

"I don't think I have ever gone to a game and thought `gees they have beaten us six times or whatever in a row'," he said.

"The competition is getting tougher and tougher. From fifth to 11th there is a four point difference.

"If you don't turn up to play you get your pants pulled down."


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