LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Melbourne Storm are facing a tough challenge ahead as they navigate their way through a tricky few weeks of balancing rest and preparation for the finals while embarking on two grueling trips to Queensland.
Coach Craig Bellamy has yet to decide when to give their star players a break, as the ladder leaders gear up for back-to-back away games in the Sunshine State.
If they manage to beat the Dolphins this weekend, Melbourne will secure a top-two finish and potentially claim their fifth minor premiership in nine seasons with two more wins in their remaining three matches.
Despite resisting the temptation to rest players in their final home game, Bellamy is likely to shuffle the lineup for their trip to Townsville next week.
Last year, the Storm opted to rest key players before facing the Broncos and emerged victorious at Suncorp Stadium, a move that paid off when debutant Sua Fa'alogo made his mark on the game.
"We'll be making decisions based on the position on the table and whether we can improve it, as well as considering the players' fatigue levels and the travel involved," Bellamy explained.
"It's no easy task to play four out of the last five games away, especially with the longest trip coming up on a short turnaround followed by a return to Brisbane."
The Storm are bracing themselves for a challenging period ahead, but with their experience and depth, they remain confident in their ability to weather the storm and come out on top when it matters most.