It took them all 26 regular season rounds to cement a spot in the finals but now they're there, Storm centre Will Chambers admits it's hard not to think about that first Sunday in October.
Melbourne extended its 2014 campaign by at least one more week after defeating the Broncos 22-12 at AAMI Park on Friday night, with two Mahe Fonua tries in the final 15 minutes proving the difference in what was an entertaining, tense spectacle.
At the mid-point of the season it looked as if the Storm's customary place in September action was lost but six wins from its final eight games has seen the perennial contenders return to a stage they know best.
With a core group of players well-accustomed to the finals atmosphere, the Victorian side is arguably more prepared than most for what the next month of football may bring.
A lot of obstacles still stand before the Storm and that first Sunday in October but they admit one can't help but allow the mind to wander that far.
"You always have a little think in the back of your mind about playing grand final football and how exciting that can be," Melbourne centre Will Chambers said.
"You always have a think about down the track but we are at different point than previous years where we've been higher on the ladder.
"We will just wait and see…. we are quietly confident in ourselves."
Friday night's win came with a dose of inspiration from Cameron Smith.
The night appeared over for the Storm skipper as he left the field after 30 minutes with the halftime diagnosis a high sprain to his left ankle.
But the champion hooker re-emerged, albeit hindered, two minutes after the resumption to steer his side home.
The resilience of the Maroons and Kangaroos captain still leaves his teammates in awe.
"He is amazing," Chambers said.
"I remember looking at him at halftime and I said him 'are you alright mate?' and he said 'I'll get through this don't you worry about that.'
"When he came back on you knew he was on because he got the big cheer from the crowd and he raised the bar and got us over the line."
With the Storm's finals spot yet to be known it remains to be seen how long Smith will have to recover for next week's final.
Until then it is a case of ice, ice and more ice for what will be the most talked about ankle in the competition.
