By the time Saturday's preliminary final against North Queensland arrives, Melbourne will have had 15 days to sit back and get nervous about what the occasion might hold.

The week off is a huge advantage physically but mentally the weight of expectation can have a significant negative effect.

That is why Melbourne players have been given strict instructions by the Storm coaching staff this weekend: get away and relax.

It is the message that has preached to the players as a way to ensure they return next week with a fresh mind.

For Will Chambers, who has had a busier schedule than most having played 28 games so far this season including three Origin appearances and a Test for Australia, it is advice he was grateful to receive.

"Obviously we don't want to get too excited too early because we'd burn a lot of mental energy," Chambers said.

"The boys have been relaxed and the coaching staff have been really good about telling the boys to get away this weekend and to come back next week ready to go."

 

Finals football is a hostile environment but given what Chambers has now experienced in his four games with the Maroons the 27-year-old believes it has held him in good stead for this business end of the year.

"In some sense because of the bigger games, yes, I feel not as nervous compared to watch I used to get," Chambers said.

"I've played three important games this year and that puts you in good stead."

At the back end of the season Chambers has formed a strong partnership with Matt Duffie on the Storm's right edge.

With Duffie's aerial threat in attack and Chambers now renowned across the NRL for his defensive prowess, the two have provided the perfect compliment to one another.

"It is obviously something we've worked on. It took him [Duffie] a while to get his confidence back and jumping but it is good to see him back out there doing what he does best," Chambers said.

"With the defensive side of things, it is something that we've worked a lot this year. We've leaked a few tries and I've been through a few wingers but with him back there it has been rock solid."

Video first featured at melbournestorm.com.au