Storm eye Souths dangerman Cook: Bromwich

Melbourne prop Jesse Bromwich says the Storm need to get on top of South Sydney's pack to put a lid on hooker Damien Cook in their NRL qualifying final.

Jesse Bromwich

South Sydney defeated Melbourne by 10 points in their round 21 match-up at ANZ Stadium. (AAP)

Melbourne's pack leader Jesse Bromwich says the Storm need to shut down South Sydney's monster pack to nullify their dangerman Damien Cook in Friday night's NRL qualifying final at AAMI Park.

In their previous meeting, hooker Cook proved a major thorn in the Storm's side, scoring a 62nd minute-try which gave his team a match-winning lead.

With his probing runs from dummy-half the NSW Origin rake racked up 173 metres and made 39 tackles in his battle with Storm captain Cameron Smith.

"He's been playing really well this season and he really tore us up last time we played up there," Bromwich said of Cook.

"We've just got to do a good job on their forwards because if you try and limit that than hopefully you can limit his game."

Souths enforcer Sam Burgess is set to play despite suffering hamstring damage in their final round win over Wests Tigers, joining his younger brothers Tom and George in the Rabbitohs pack.

Bromwich, who will celebrate his 200th NRL game this week, said the Storm learned a valuable lesson in their 30-20 defeat to Souths.

"They're a big strong forward pack, we learnt last time how big they are so it's going to be a big challenge for us," he said.

"The three Burgess boys are going really well at the moment but also guys like Angus Crichton and Johnny Sutton are doing a good job as well so we've got our hands full."

Melbourne fullback Billy Slater, who missed their loss to Penrith last weekend when he flew to Cairns to be with a sick family member, is back on deck while injured five-eighth Cameron Munster has resumed training.

There's some doubt over prop Tim Glasby who suffered a head knock against the Panthers.

"Munster still needs to get through training but he's been bouncing around while it's good to get Bill (Slater) back as he gives the boys the boys a real boost," Bromwich said.

Bromwich, 29, will become just the sixth player in Storm history to reach the double-century milestone and the first Kiwi.


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Source: AAP



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