Brooks on Nofoaluma's mind with finals drought ending

David Nofoaluma couldn’t help but share a laugh with Luke Brooks this week with the mid-season Storm recruit finally set to finally break his finals drought against the Raiders on Saturday.

Nofoaluma and Brooks have 368 games between them after making their NRL debuts together in 2013, but neither player has featured in a finals match until now, making it one of the the longest droughts for NRL players in history. 

The pair have been through a wild ride of highs and lows at the Wests Tigers and despite both being contracted to the club next season, their futures have been speculated this season.

But for now, Nofoaluma has been relishing his time in Melbourne with Brooks and his junior club watching on as the loan deal comes into full effect on Saturday.

"I had a laugh with Brooksy, he was filthy," Nofoaluma said.

"I said, 'What's wrong?' and he goes, 'You're going to play finals and we're going to be watching!'

"Their season is done and it's funny me saying that because that's usually me."

Nofoaluma said the pain of watching the finals in the past decade was too much, to the point where he switched off from watching, especially in campaigns the Wests Tigers fell short finishing ninth.

"I watched the first few years but seeing the players receive their rings and hold the premiership trophy, it hurt," he said.

"It's obviously a credit to the players on those teams who have done it in the past but I try not to watch it.

"It's every player's dream [to play finals]. You play this game to win premierships and be successful.

"I'm definitely excited. I don't think it'll hit me until we get closer to the game."

One man part responsible for Nofoaluma’s arrival to Melbourne midway through the year is Storm hooker Harry Grant, who got in the ear of his former Wests Tigers teammate about shifting south.

“The sacrifice that 'Noffa' has made to bring himself to Melbourne, at short notice, where he gave everything up in Sydney and moved straight down, he’s left everything behind,” Grant said.

“It showed his commitment to our group straight away. We love having him and what he’s brought to our team will be suited to finals footy. I’m excited to see what he can do.

“Playing with him previously he loves the big games and we’ll be backing him this week.”