The Storm host the Titans this weekend in what looms as a danger game for the Victorian side after an upset loss the Wests Tigers last week.
The Gold Coast left victorious from their previous trip to AAMI Park last year and the same result would see Melbourne all but kiss goodbye the chance of a top four finish.
Prior to last week's slip up over the then bottom-placed Wests Tigers, they had been riding high after commanding wins over the Dragons and Panthers.
That is the reason coach Craig Bellamy has resisted the urge to swing the selection axe, so far naming the same 17 with the expectation that they redeem themselves.
"That is up to them but you'd like to think they are hurting a bit from last week," Bellamy said.
"While the review was frank and honest I didn't think there was a need to go too far because the week before they played pretty well.
"Sometimes you can play well and not get the result but when the effort level is down that means alarm bells for me."
Skipper Cameron Smith suggested some teammates had taken the foot off the pedal after the side raced out to a 10-0 lead after 16 minutes against the Tigers before conceding six of the next seven tries.
Melbourne will face a similar challenge this week when they face the lowly Titans who are sitting in 14th place despite their Monday night win over the Eels.
However the return of skipper Nate Myles will give the visitors a huge confidence boost in making it two wins in a row in the southern state.
"The Titans have a pretty good record down here to be quite honest," Bellamy said.
"They got a win last week, their results weren't great just before that but they had a lot of injuries. They've nearly got as good a side as they've had [all year] this week so that is another little awakening for us as well.
"I wouldn't want to think that being comfortable would come into the equation for us this weekend."
After playing four games in 19 days the Storm finally enjoy an eight-day break before facing the Titans.
The chance to properly prepare for a game for the first time in nearly a month is one the master coach is relishing.
"It's been really good actually... hopefully it has come at a good time for us," Bellamy said.
"It was pretty hectic there, we had some long trips and short turnarounds so it's nice to be able to sit back, take a couple of deep breaths and the game is not on you straight away."
