NRL: Storm eye return to glory days

Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith. Photo / Getty Images

Shattered Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith forecast a tough pre-season after the Storm bowed out of the NRL finals without a win for the second straight year.

The Storm's season ended on a sour note with the Bulldogs running in four consecutive first-half tries to set up the 28-4 elimination final victory on Sunday in Melbourne.

Last year, after finishing third, they crashed out after being beaten by Souths and then Newcastle.

The heavy loss to Canterbury capped a rollercoaster season for Melbourne, who are accustomed to success. Apart from the wooden spoon in 2010 that was part of their punishment for rorting the salary cap, it was their worst finish since 2002.

Smith said they needed to regain the consistency that made the club a powerhouse.

"It's been an issue here for a couple of seasons now and it was probably the thing that we were best in the competition at in the past 10 years," Smith said. "That's something we need to address and I think it's something we need to address at training. That's where it starts."

The side could start the 2015 season without star fullback Billy Slater and centre Will Chambers.

Slater was put on report for kneeing Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds in the back while Chambers was reported for a late hit on Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis.

Coach Craig Bellamy said a number of his players failed to aim up in a performance he described as "embarrassing".

Ranked top in the NRL for least errors and complete sets heading into the finals, Melbourne completed just 25 of 44 sets. "We gave ourselves no chance after that first 15 minutes," Bellamy said.