Melbourne Storm have won six NRL minor premierships under his reign but coach Craig Bellamy will be especially proud to claim their seventh.

The Storm can wrap up the JJ Giltinan Shield with a win or even a narrow loss against Penrith in their final round Friday night match at AAMI Park.

They will have to do it without retiring superstar fullback Billy Slater, who has rushed to north Queensland to be with a seriously ill family member with no date set for his return.

Bellamy said another minor premiership would be particularly sweet at the end of a testing season.

Melbourne won three straight between 2006 and 2008, which were stripped for salary cap cheating, in 2011 and then the past two.

The Storm have stayed on top without a regular halfback following the loss of Cooper Cronk, rotating three players through the role, suffered injuries to key players and also endured speculation Bellamy was set to quit the club for Brisbane.

“I’m really proud of these players for what they’ve been through this season and where they’ve got us to,” Bellamy said on Thursday.

While Slater is out the Storm could welcome back veteran Ryan Hoffman, who is way ahead of schedule in his return from a hamstring injury.

“He’s a real good chance of playing,” Bellamy said. “He’s been ticking the boxes all week, and just needs to tick one more at training to play.”

Bellamy believed it was no coincidence that Penrith had struggled of late without NSW Origin playmaker James Maloney.

But with Maloney returning from a knee injury Bellamy expected the Panthers to find some form as they hunt a top four berth.

STATS THAT MATTER

* The Panthers 21.9% winning percentage against the Storm (seven wins from 32 matches) is their worst against any other opponent and they’ve never won at AAMI Park.

* Due to their +179 points differential Melbourne are all but guaranteed a top two spot even with a loss. If they do lose the Roosters will have to make up a 32-point differential to win the minor premiership.

Source: Fox Sports Stats.