Richie Barnett: It's what the NRL didn't want, and it'll be great

Captain Cameron Smith is one of the Storm's most potent weapons. Photo / Getty Images

Let's face it, tomorrow's match between the Warriors and the Storm isn't the game the NRL wanted for a grand final qualifier.

In terms of viewing numbers and television ratings, it's a disaster. That's the thought that was going through my head as I watched last week's game against the Tigers. The refereeing seemed so one-sided. All the poor decisions went against the Warriors, and the penalty count was horribly lopsided.

That's why you saw such jubilation on the faces of the players at the end. Everything was stacked against them, making it incredibly hard for them to win. But they showed desperation and belief to fight their way through.

To me, they looked like a team that had the stamp of potential premiers on them.

For many of those players, it may well turn out to be the pivotal game of their careers. Look at Manu Vatuvei's mind-blowing performance. It shows that what Manu needs to do is simplify the game and concentrate on doing what he does best.

The NRL might not have wanted this match against the Storm, but it shapes as an epic encounter. The teams are evenly matched.

Melbourne have that spine of superstars that is the envy of every team in the competition. In Cameron Smith and Billy Slater we are talking about two future immortals, and Cooper Cronk is also hugely influential.

The Storm also have a brilliant coach and a superb culture. The big three have an enormous influence on and off the field. That's what has allowed them to continue on their winning ways this season despite having shed so much talent after the salary cap scandal.

The Storm are a very stat-oriented side. They are all about completions, possession and territory. They're also the best in the business at controlling the ruck and the tempo of the game.

Their wrestle is a big part of that. Tacklers hold ball carriers up for two or three seconds before putting them on the ground. That gives the defensive line crucial time to get set, which is why their defence is so hard to break down. They push the letter of the law and their timing is usually immaculate.

That they are so totally in control of matches is a big reason the Storm are able to execute the precision set plays we see every week.

Other teams try to run the same plays but seldom execute them as well. It all comes down to timing, and that starts from the way the Storm control the ruck.

But the Warriors will go into the match inspired and with belief. This is the closest many of them have ever been to a grand final and they will be desperate.

They know their forward pack will deliver quality runs and they are undoubtedly the offload kings of the competition. They have an industrious back row, with Feleti Mateo thrown into the mix to provide the X-factor. Elijah Taylor's selection provides some mobility and extra work rate, which is vital against the Storm.

Their ability to play positive football and chance their arm through the instinctive play of Mateo, Kevin Locke and Shaun Johnson could give the Warriors the edge.

Then there is the Krisnan Inu factor. At last the team has a centre who can create opportunities.

Inu's performance against the Tigers highlighted what has been missing this season following the injury to Jerome Ropati, and the need to play backrowers in the centres to shore up the edge defence.

This game will be even more intense than that win over the Tigers. If the Warriors aren't penalised out of it we are in for one hell of a match.