Minor premiers Melbourne face a stiff test in the opening week of the finals against a red-hot Manly side that pushed the Storm all the way in round 21.
Their qualifying final will be played at 7.50pm on Friday at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
With fullback Tom Trbojevic and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans leading the way the Sea Eagles have shown they can score from anywhere on the park. Their final try against the Cowboys on Saturday is Exhibit A.
The Storm attack has broken records this season but could be hampered by the absence of key personnel.
Both teams will run out to an intense atmosphere with the match confirmed on Wednesday to be sold out.
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Coach Craig Bellamy and crew won't be taking anything for granted after Manly became the first side since the 2005 Dragons to make the top four after losing their opening five games.
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The rundown
Team news
Storm: Cameron Munster is a confirmed starter after overcoming a knee injury.
Nicho Hynes will remain on the interchange bench with Tom Eisenhuth the 18th man.
George Jennings (knee) has also been cleared to play and will join returning centre Reimis Smith on the right edge. Josh Addo-Carr (hamstring) won't play.
Aaron Pene and Chris Lewis dropped off the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off.
The Storm have won their past four matches against the Sea Eagles.
Sea Eagles: Lachlan Croker (back tightness) is out, with Karl Lawton to start at hooker and Curtis Sironen joining the bench.
Josh Aloiai returns at prop, pushing Toafofoa Sipley to the reserves. Moses Suli will be the 18th man.
Sean Keppie and Taniela Paseka have held onto their bench positions after making returns last week.
Croker and Tevita Funa were omitted from the playing squad on Thursday night.
Hasler is the only current coach with a winning record against Craig Bellamy (17-15).
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Key match-up
Ryan Papenhuyzen v Tom Trbojevic: The Storm custodian is back to his best after a long battle with concussion. Papenhuyzen's final-round hat-trick against Cronulla had the same spark that saw him dominate the NRL to open the season.
But he will need all of that and more against the best player in the game. Trbojevic, the Dally M favourite, has scored 25 tries and produced 30 try assists in just 15 games in 2021.
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Stat attack
Manly have finished the regular season No.1 in handling errors, their explosive scoring obscuring the drops that plagued them in their wins over Canterbury and North Queensland. Melbourne, in contrast, ranked 14th in that category.
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