NRL: Storm look to improve on 'below par' secondhalf

Melbourne Storm believe another second-half performance like they delivered against Newcastle will see them bow out of the NRL finals race.

The Storm were up 16-0 at halftime in their qualifying final at AAMI Park, but let the Knights mount a fight-back and run in two easy tries in the second half with the final score 18-8.

The Storm have advanced directly through to the preliminary final, to be played in Melbourne in a fortnight, with their opponent decided in Friday night's semi-final between the Warriors and Wests Tigers.

Storm halfback Cooper Cronk, one of his side's best performers against the Knights, admitted the second half was below par but thought they handled the pressure well.

"Without doubt," Cronk replied when asked if they would be eliminated from the finals race if they produced a similar second half in their next match.

"We really had to start well after the last few weeks this club's been through and we took our opportunities.

"The momentum changed and we let in a couple of soft tries but after that we rolled up our sleeves and competed well for the last 15 minutes."

Cronk said the team had plenty of self-belief that they could hold out the resurgent Knights.

"We're very confident.

"As soon as the whistle blows we'll go out and have a red hot crack until the final whistle blows."

The Storm players and coaching staff enjoyed a low-key celebration of their minor premiership victory, presented with the JJ Giltinan shield by NRL boss David Gallop before the qualifying final.

Coach Craig Bellamy plans to give his side some extra time off this week before their focus turns to the next final.

"They can put their feet up and be nice and fresh but from about Thursday we'll be back into it," Bellamy said.

Melbourne have only one injury concern with utility Rory Kostjasyn to undergo scans on his hamstring, aggravated in the warm-up before the match.

- AAP