The Melbourne Storm have a record this season that many rival clubs would be envious of, but skipper Cameron Smith sets high standards and isn't satisfied with the way his side have been performing.
The Storm pulled off a thrilling 13-12 victory over the Warriors in their traditional Anzac Day contest at AAMI Park on Thursday night and currently sit pretty in second place on the Telstra Premiership ladder with six wins from the opening seven rounds of the season.
But Smith believes his side won't be able reach their full potential this season if they continue to start matches slowly and provide their opponents with an early advantage on the scoreboard.
"We are giving ourselves good practice at getting behind and knowing what to do, but we need to change the way we are starting these matches," Smith said.
"The last four games we have had to come from behind and we fell short last week against a very good footy side [the Roosters].
"We have managed to win a few of them and [on Thursday] I felt we were fairly lucky to get the victory, but we just can't keep allowing the opposition to start better than us and have territory and have possession of the ball and put points on us and make us work harder than we need to."
Match Highlights: Storm v Warriors
The Storm captain has also been concerned with the lack of organisation his side has shown in recent times as young halves Cameron Munster and Brodie Croft continue to get used to playing alongside each other.
Croft's match-winning field goal against the Warriors nearly didn't eventuate, as the young halfback had to be ushered into position by his captain on the final play of the set.
"There was only two and a half minutes left on the clock and as I was coming to that play the ball I saw Brodie flying around to the left-hand side and Cameron Munster was already over there and I didn't know what was happening," Smith said.
"I mentioned to Brodie that he should get back on to the other side and have a crack at a field goal and he did and thankfully he hit it pretty good, got a nice little deflection off the upright and it went over."
Smith said further patience was required with his young halves as they continue to evolve as players.
"We are talking about a halfback who hasn't even played 30 games yet," Smith said of Croft.
"Cameron [Munster] is an outstanding player, a quality player, but he is still learning how to play in those halves and he is a young man still and only 24 years of age.
"Particularly in those moments you see the experienced players and they know exactly where to be and they know exactly where they want that play the ball to be.
"These guys are still learning and I thought it was a great effort by Brodie to get back over in the right position and execute that kick."
Croft field goal puts the Storm in front
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has given his players a couple of days away from the club to freshen up ahead of their round eight showdown against the Sharks in Sydney on May 3.
Smith said the break had come at the right time for the Storm, who have had a tough schedule over the last month that has included a pair of quick turnarounds, a grand final rematch against the Roosters and the traditional Anzac Day match-up with the Warriors.
"Thankfully we have got a long turnaround now and we have been given a couple of days off, so we get an opportunity to freshen up physically and mentally," Smith said.
"Let's hope Craig doesn't stick the boot in when we get back because we have had a couple of days off."
