Melbourne are ready to give a reality check to the NRL's hottest backline duo Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana when they host Canberra in Saturday's preliminary final at AAMI Park.
The Storm defence was a highlight of their qualifying final win over North Queensland to advance to the final four and fullback Cameron Munster said they felt they were ready for anything the Raiders threw at them.
"Our defence was outstanding against the Cowboys and hopefully nothing will change against the Raiders as they've got a lot of points in them on both sides," Munster said.
Storm suffered a 22-8 loss to the Green Machine last month, when Canberra used their razzle dazzle to stun the minor premiers, with centre Leilua scoring two tries in the opening 24 minutes.
Munster said his side got "ambushed" but would be on their toes in the grand final qualifier, particularly for the threat of Leilua and Rapana, who have combined for 33 tries this season.
"We're expecting a lot of ad-lib football; they play off the cuff and whatever they see in front of them they do," Munster said.
"Those two have been working really well together this year and have been a revelation for the Raiders and we've got a big task on that right side to nullify them."
Munster was one of the Storm's best in his side's six-point win over the Cowboys two weeks ago, pulling off one of the plays in the season in the final minute when he brought down a high ball from Johnathan Thurston to crush any hope of a comeback.
Still only 22, he said he felt much more comfortable coming into this year's finals series after getting his first taste of finals football last September.
"I'm still the same kid mentally but it's my second time in the preliminary final and I feel a lot more confident and I know now not to take anything for granted."
