Days before Melbourne's first home game of the Telstra Premiership season the club has turned to a favourite son for that extra edge.
Dallas Johnson was spotted getting involved in Wednesday's training session at Gosch's Paddock with advice for the Storm squad ahead of Saturday night's clash with the Dragons.
Johnson played 157 NRL games for Melbourne between 2003 and 2009, making four grand final appearances in the purple jersey and represented the Maroons on 12 occasions.
Now retired after having his career cut short in 2010 due to a knee injury, the 32-year-old looked at home on the training paddock as he set up the tackle bags during the warm ups.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy was only too happy to have his beloved former lock back in the purple camp.
"Dallas is living back in Melbourne and is obviously one of our favourite sons so he's just come down for a bit of a look and to give his advice on a couple of little issues," Bellamy said.
"It's just good to have him in Melbourne again… the way he used to play is a symbol of what we try to represent here at the Storm.
"He played the game in a very tough way and just went out and did his job each and every week; that is what we expect for our players.
"There are a lot of young players who don't watch much footy these days so I don't think most of them know who he is, hopefully they do. I think this is his second or third visit so we are going to see a lot more of him hopefully."
The Storm host the winless Sharks this weekend as they look to make it nine wins out of 10 against the men from The Shire.
One paper the home side head into the Round 3 clash as clear favourites but the coach has never been one to read to much into that.
"I don't take too much notice of what's on paper," Bellamy said.
"I thought the Sharks would be one of the big improvers this year to be quite honest, I thought they bought really well in Barba and having all the players back on deck again.
"I'm sure they'll be really keen to come down here, play well and get a win so we will have to be ready for them, they are a talented side. They certainly haven't been blown off the park or anything like that."
Melbourne will host Cronulla at 7.30pm on Saturday night at AAMI Park.
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