NRL: Slater reveals plan to stop Warriors

The Storm players train ahead of their clash against the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

Melbourne fullback Billy Slater says the game plan to beat the Warriors in Saturday night's NRL preliminary final is a simple one - starve them of the ball.

An enthusiastic Storm outfit completed a training session in Melbourne on Tuesday ahead of the AAMI Park showdown.

Melbourne believe they can use their trademark defensive strengths to nullify the Warriors' unpredictability.

"They're a real physical side, they're a big side,'' Slater said.

"The key is to make sure that we hold the ball, and make sure that they make just as many tackles as we're going to make and they're coming out of their own (half) just as much as we are.''

The Auckland-based side are one of only two teams to beat the Storm on their home turf this season, and have an impressive historical win-loss record against the minor premiers, including an upset win in the 2008 finals series.

Slater said that would count for little on Saturday night.

"It's irrelevant what's happened in the past.

"The team that goes forward in this competition is the team that focuses on the 80 minutes on Saturday night.

"What happened last time we played or three years ago it doesn't matter any more.''

Storm team: Billy Slater, Matt Duffie, Dane Nielsen, Beau Champion, Anthony Quinn, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (capt), Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Sika Manu, Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Ryan Hinchcliffe, Rory Kostjaysen, Adam Woolnough, Jaiman Lowe, Troy Thompson, Sisa Waqa, Maurice Blair, Atelea Vea (four to be omitted).

- AAP