They call them the Big Three.
But Benji Marshall has another name for Melbourne greats Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater: scary.
Marshall’s Brisbane have been written off ahead of Friday night’s NRL preliminary final against minor premiers the Storm in Melbourne.
And the veteran playmaker said there were no prizes for guessing the three reasons why – skipper and rake Smith, halfback Cronk and No.1 Slater.
Asked if the Big Three were the NRL’s most formidable combination, Marshall said: “It’s the scariest.
“You look at the success they have had at every level of rugby league whether it’s Melbourne, Queensland or Australia.
“And that’s been off the back of what those three can do.
“You have to give them respect but also try and take their time away from them.”
Brisbane have a woeful record against Melbourne, winning just four of their last 23 games.
While Marshall said they would again be wary of the Big Three, the playmaker believed the Broncos had been their own worst enemies against Melbourne in the past.
“The thing with Melbourne is that they aren’t going to beat themselves – you have to go out there and beat them,” Marshall said.
“I think the last couple of times we have played them we have beaten ourselves as much as they have beaten us.
“We have a lot to do with our completion rates and we have to throw a bit of footy at them.
“Everyone is talking up the fact that they should win the comp easily but we have a belief that we can go down there and do a job.”