With their own first-choice halves combination finally back together, Melbourne will resist the temptation to target Penrith’s rookie five-eighth Lachlan Coote when the teams meet at AAMI Park on Saturday afternoon.

Melbourne will field halfback Cooper Cronk and No.6 Gareth Widdop for the first time since the second Origin in mid-June, coinciding with their slide in form and five successive losses which dropped them from the top to third on the NRL ladder.

Veteran winger Anthony Quinn says fans can expect a rejuvenated Storm outfit take the park this weekend with their halves duo back together.

“The last couple of weeks, with Cooper being the dominant half, a few of the teams they shut down Coops fairly well but with the main half combination back we’ve got options both sides and Bill (Slater) can pop up anywhere as well,” said veteran winger Anthony Quinn.

“It certainly helps with the team structure which hopefully will help with our performance.”

A clash with the Panthers, ranked 15th, who haven’t beaten Melbourne since 2005, presents the perfect opportunity for the Storm to stop the rot however Quinn said his team would have to cut its error count to get a much-needed win.

“We know as long as we cut those out that goes a long way to winning a match.”

While Cronk and Widdop are Test players, 22-year-old Coote will line up for only his third game at five-eighth.

However in game two last week he came up with two tries and a crucial play in golden time to help upset Cronulla.

He will partner Luke Walsh who has been dominant with seven try assists in his last six games.

“Lachlan Coote’s a quality player and I think anywhere he plays he’s going to perform well so I don’t think that’s a weakness for Penrith there,” Quinn said.

“I don’t think that’s a spot that we could exploit at all because he’s definitely a strong defender.”

Slater will be better in his second start after six rounds out with his knee injury, while Penrith have named danger man Michael Gordon at fullback after making a successful return last round.

As well as trying to kick-start their season, Quinn, like a number of other Storm players, has his future on the line.

“I’m off contract so at this stage I’m not too sure where I’m headed,” the 29-year-old said.

“It’d be nice to stay but I’ve got to wait and see if an offer comes in and then make a decision.”