Melbourne centre Dane Nielsen says his side learnt a lot out of their gutsy last-round NRL win over Canterbury and he’s certain their Anzac Day opponents, the Warriors, did too.
The Storm host the Warriors at AAMI Park next Wednesday night, looking to continue their unbeaten start after winning their first seven games.
Another victory would set a record for their best opening to an NRL season.
But if any team look likely to upset Melbourne’s dream run it’s the Warriors, who have crashed a number of the Storm’s big occasions; most recently the minor premiers’ march to last year’s title with an upset in the preliminary final.
After a mini-break, the Storm regrouped in Melbourne on Friday minus their Test stars to prepare for the Warriors.
Nielsen, who is hoping for another Queensland Origin call-up next month, said their hard-fought 12-6 win over the Bulldogs last round was the perfect warm-up for a meeting with the Warriors.
The Bulldogs used their big forwards to make ground up the middle of the field, and he expected the Warriors to do the same.
“They scored first and we had to work ourselves into the game and in the second half they took us right to the wire,” Nielsen said.
“It was a really good challenge for us and one that I’m sure the coaching staff and players have taken a lot out of.
“I’m sure the Warriors have done some video and seen how good the Bulldogs played against us and they might want to adopt some of those tactics as well.”
Nielsen hopes the addition to the pack of veterans Jason Ryles and Ryan Hoffman will make a difference against the Warriors, who are currently ninth with a 3-4 record.
“It’s not just size, it’s the experience,” he said.
“Ryles been around for 20-something years now … and Hoffy’s a legend here and he’s always going to give you 110 per cent.
“It helps us with our forward pack cause they’re big boys and they’ve got a lot of skill.
“They can both offload and play before and after the line so it’s a great advantage to have those boys in our squad.”
Nielsen, 26, is off contract at season-end and hoped to have his future secured in the next few weeks.
He said there were a couple of other NRL clubs interested, although his first choice is to stay with the Storm.
