KEY POINTS:
The 2007 Warriors might appear to be a more structured, disciplined outfit than previous incarnations but it's the freedom to express themselves that is making them dangerous.
That's the view of skipper Steve Price, who will lead an unchanged, undefeated side against last year's minor premiers and beaten grand finalists, Melbourne Storm, at Olympic Park on Sunday.
"[Coach] Ivan [Cleary] lets ability and talent play a fair part in our game plan," Price said. "You don't want to put shackles on players. I think the players understand that we do have to hold on to the ball, we can't just throw it away, but, if you do get opportunities, you don't want to feel that you can't back yourself."
Players backing themselves was the key to the four-try blitz that saw off the Broncos on Sunday, he said.
The Storm, who are also undefeated after wins against Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders, were equally as adept at coming up with the big plays, cautioned Price.
"Teams like Melbourne get through their sets very well but they have got the freakish individuals that can come up with something and they are not scared to do it. "That's where we are at at the moment - we work well as a group but if you think that something is on and you don't think there is a high risk factor then there's no reason why you can't try it."
Kiwis five-eight Jerome Ropati is still on the injured list after being a late scratching from Sunday's curtain-raiser. There had been some optimism that back rower Louis Anderson would return after spraining his right ankle in the season-opening 34-18 win against the Eels but it's now thought he might be another two or three games away from returning.
This time last season the Warriors were winless, had been docked four points and had a first-year coach who had yet to settle on a favoured halfback and hooker combination.
With Cleary naming the same starting lineup for the third successive week, the turnaround couldn't be more stark. The consistency was certainly helpful, Price said.
"We've got a new fullback, a new five-eight and a new winger and it is really important for those guys to play some minutes together. Having the nucleus of the same team for a few weeks in a row certainly helps build confidence and combinations."
Storm coach Craig Bellamy has left fit-again winger Steve Turner out of his lineup, instead sticking with giant 17-year-old sensation Israel Folau.
Todd Byrne will travel as Warriors' 18th man, while Patrick Ah Van will make his return from shoulder surgery for the Auckland Lions against Canterbury Bulldogs in Sydney.
* Broncos loose forward Tonie Carroll has been suspended for two matches after pleading guilty to a dangerous throw on Warriors back rower Micheal Luck.
Melbourne, 2pm Sunday
Warriors
1. Wade McKinnon
2. Michael Crockett
3. Tony Martin
4. Lance Hohaia
5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Michael Witt
7. Grant Rovelli
8. Ruben Wiki
9. George Gatis
10. Steve Price (c)
11. Simon Mannering
12. Logan Swann
13. Micheal Luck
Interchange
Nathan Fien, Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Sam Rapira
Storm
1. Billy Slater
2. Matt Geyer
3. Matt King
4. Anthony Quinn
5. Israel Folau
6. Greg Inglis
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Antonio Kaufusi
9. Cameron Smith
10. Brett White
11. Jeremy Smith
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Dallas Johnson
Interchange
Michael Crocker, Jeff Lima, Ben Cross, James Aubusson, Ryan Shortland
