NRL: Canberra Raiders believe they've unlocked secret to beating Melbourne Storm

The Canberra Raiders think they've unlocked the formula to beat a robotic Melbourne Storm side in the NRL finals this weekend. Photo / Getty

Canberra have vowed to chance their arm against the Storm ensuring potent pair Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana receive plenty of ball, believing they have unlocked the secret to beating the Storm.

Saturday's preliminary final showdown looms as match up between the entertainers and the defensive warriors.

The Raiders showed they have the attacking power to trouble the Storm after beating Melbourne 22-8 when the teams last met in Canberra six weeks ago.

Leilua tore apart the Storm defence, scoring two first half tries while Rapana is now just one try short of scoring the most tries in a season for the Raiders.

Halfback Aidan Sezer said team's fall short when they fall into the trap of replicating Melbourne's style of play.

"A lot of teams get stuck in the mould of trying to out Melbourne, Melbourne and getting into that grind," Sezer said.

"I don't think you can. They've been successful for 10 odd years with a bit of innovation in the ruck. You can't go down there and get in the grind with them. You have to throw the ball around and give them something a bit different.

"You can put emphasis on the wrestle as much as you want but if you guys have pushing up on the ball and have big bodies coming at you, you're going to build momentum. We'll look to do that."

Five-eighth Blake Austin said his side has unlocked the blueprint on how to beat the Storm.

"We know the formula," Austin said.

"We did it last time we played them. They'll know what's coming now. It's going to be a big challenge."

The Storm's notorious tackling style has again come under fire after the Cowboys launched an official complaint to the NRL over the tackle which left back-rower Ethan Lowe with a spinal injury.

Raiders enforcer Josh Papalii said his side knew what to expect ahead of their clash.

"Every team has their style of footy," Papalii said.

"Everyone knows Melbourne are good at wrestle.

"We just have to go down there and be better than what they are good at. We just have to run harder than they do and tackle harder than they do. It's pretty simple.

"Going down there knowing we're one (win) short of a grand final, if that is not inspiring enough to you may as well not go down there. It's obviously tough.

"They have got a great record down there and we're going to have to be playing some good footy to win down there."

While North Queensland counterpart Paul Green has been openly critical of the Storm's wrestling technique, Canberra coach Ricky Stuart is unperturbed.

"I'm not one of those coaches that's going to come out and start having a shot about wrestle which seems to happen every time some team plays Melbourne," Stuart said.