The Eels steadied the ship with a morale-boosting win over the Cowboys but they'll to go up another couple of gears if they are to trouble the competition leaders.
On a positive note for the Eels they did beat Melbourne back in round two at Bankwest Stadium, one of only two sides to lower the colours of Craig Bellamy's men in 2021.
The Storm lost again a week later to the Panthers and remarkably have not tasted defeat since - winning 19 on the trot to equal the all time record set by the 1975 Eastern Suburbs team.
With Ryan Papenhuyzen finding his feet and some key men refreshed after a week off in round 23 the Storm will be hot favourites to make more history on Saturday but the Eels have their mojo back and are sure to provide a stern test.
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The rundown
Team news
Storm: Late changes for the Storm with Isaac Lumelume and Tepai Moeroa moving into the 17 and Dean Ieremia and Chris Lewis dropping out.
Harry Grant will start at hooker with Brandon Smith going to lock and Lewis to 18th man.
Jahrome Hughes (concussion) and Tui Kamikamica (calf) have trained with the side this week with Kamikamica moved from the reserves to the interchange bench 24 hours before the match.
Hughes replaces Nicho Hynes at halfback, forcing the utility to the interchange.
Brandon Smith and Justin Olam are also back after they were rested in round 23.
Aaron Pene and Marion Seve were the two players left out 24 hours before the game.
The Storm will be aiming to break the premiership record of 19 consecutive wins.
Eels: The Eels are 1-17 with no late changes.
Blake Ferguson (calf) has been named to return after overcoming a calf injury.
Ferguson's return is timely given Maika Sivo's year came to an abrupt end following confirmation he ruptured his ACL last week.
Ray Stone replaces Will Smith on the bench which could see the forward utility share hooking duties with Joey Lussick.
Sean Russell and Jake Arthur were cut from the squad on Friday and Will Smith was the last man omitted an hour before kick-off, Oregon Kaufusi is 18th man.
The Eels have won two of their past three games against the Storm.
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Key match-up
Cameron Munster v Dylan Brown: The Storm supremo put a modest first half behind him against the Raiders to produce a majestic second 40 which laid the foundation for yet another Melbourne win. A proven big-game performer, Munster would love nothing better than putting one over a side they could well meet again during the finals. Brown should have taken plenty of confidence out of the Cowboys game and his speed and swerve will keep the Storm defence on its toes.
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Stat attack
Flying winger Josh Addo-Carr needs just one try to break the record for most four-pointers in a season for the Storm. 'The Foxx' already owns a share of the club record with Suliasi Vunivalu but a little slice of history is there for the taking should he find his way to the tryline against the Eels this week or in the final round against the Sharks.
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