The time is right for the Storm according to skipper Harry Grant, who says they have learnt from previous finals failings.
Melbourne enter Friday night's NRL preliminary final against the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park in the best shape possible.
Minor premiers, injury-free and boasting a 10-1 win-loss record over their rivals, Grant says the Storm are perfectly positioned to chase their first title since 2020.
The Roosters are also looking to return to the grand final after back-to- back trophies in 2018 and 2019.
Ousted at the same preliminary final stage last year and also in 2021, both times by three-peat champions Penrith, Grant said they were determined to reach the premiership decider this year.
"Last year we lost the first final, this year we won, so we've had probably a bit more time to get things right, train well and have a bit of time to recover as well," the star hooker said.
"And also, emotionally, you can sort of let yourself go a little bit.
"I guess that's the learnings from the previous years - there was a big learning from 2021 as well in the way we handled the preliminary final week."
As well as their physical and mental state, the Storm appear to have shored up any weaknesses in their line-up.
They have electric fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen back in finals action after missing last year's campaign with a fractured ankle, young centre Jack Howarth recognising his immense potential, and second-rowers Eli Katoa and Shawn Blore at the top of their game.
But Grant is aware the Roosters, who they pipped at the death in last year's semi-final in Melbourne, won't go quietly.
"They've had a couple of injuries, but what it's done is spark some fire in some of their key players, their key leaders, to play well," he said.
"You look at (James) Tedesco, Joey Manu, Lindsay Collins, they're finding form at the right time of the year, and it looks like they're definitely taking their game to a new level."
Roosters coach Trent Robinson agreed that his team was peaking at the right time and felt they were also better-placed than last year's AAMI Park showdown, when they were missing backline stars Manu, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
He said the team was clear on their style and game plan.
"We're a much better team this year and we've proven that in performances, with belief in our game style," Robinson said.
"We're really settled in that, and that's why it's really key for us to be really confident in what we're going to do, but then also execute that."
