The billboard outside Storm headquarters at AAMI Park prominently displays the slogan, 'There's nothing like this rivalry,' ahead of the Round 3 match against Brisbane on Friday night.
Since its entry into the NRL in 1998, Melbourne has clashed with Brisbane a total of 60 times, with the Storm holding a 43-16 advantage, including one draw.
In their 16 encounters on home ground, Melbourne has been defeated by Brisbane just three times and once even boasted a 14-match winning streak. This suggests a significant edge for the Storm, yet the Broncos have emerged victorious in their last two encounters, including last year's NRL Grand Final, which ended 26-22 in their favor.
During a media session on Tuesday, Storm skipper Harry Grant revealed that coach Craig Bellamy would not use the pain of the grand final defeat as motivation, stating that Friday's match is simply "just another game."
"We've definitely moved on (from the grand final). Last year is in the past. The Broncos got the win, last year. We've got a clean slate and it's a new opportunity, a new year, and a new squad, so that's the mindset of the playing group, the club, and hopefully everyone involved," Grant remarked.
He further explained, "I think it's just another game. You look at their team, it's different. You look at the team, it's different."
"It's a clean slate, it's a new season, a new year."
He emphasized, "It's early in the season, it's Round 3, no team is polished. You've just got to keep building your footy and chasing your best footy."
In the 2025 grand final, Broncos fullback Reece Walsh showcased his skills dramatically, helping Brisbane overcome a 22-12 half-time deficit and delivering one of the best performances of his career with a try, three try assists, 176 meters gained, and 14 tackles broken.