The Penrith Panthers were undeniably sore and exhausted, hitting the pool to soak their sore bodies for recovery on the Sunshine Coast, after the weekend's brutal two-point win over the Parramatta Eels.
Liam Martin hopes playing every week of the finals will work to the Panthers' advantage.
"It's only going to harden us going into these bigger games so it's a positive I reckon," Martin said.
"Last week's game was a really intense game, probably the most intense we've played all year — so often that can hold us in good stead coming into the next game.
"Us getting that extra game in helps build cohesion, but the rest might be good for the Storm."
Other Panthers admit they could be out of their depth taking on the reigning premiers, who snatched victory from Penrith in 2020.
"Storm have been the top in the competition for a decade or so, to have Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater leave the club and then still produce what they are doing is unheard of," said recently signed Panther Tevita Pangai Junior.
Penrith have scored just two tries in as many finals matches so far, but will welcome back key reinforcements James Fisher-Harris and, potentially, star Brian To'o.
"[To'o] is a huge bonus for us, the little things that are hard work that most people usually don't put their hand up for, he's not afraid to do it, so he's going to be a massive bonus for us," Liam Martin said.
"When you see [To'o] get a set started, he just lifts your spirits."
Travelling Storm hoping to finish on a high
While the Panthers have been working on their physical recovery, a different type of fatigue is setting in for their nomadic opponents, the Melbourne Storm.
The Storm have been away from home for two seasons.
"They'll have a bottle of kava ready to be watching the game for sure," Kamikamica said.
Nicho Hynes agrees this year's rollercoaster has been much harder than 2020.
"Last year was tough and we didn't think we could get any tougher than last year and this happened. We've been on the Sunny Coast, then back to Melbourne, [and] had to move again," Hynes said.
"Players with families have been lugging around little kids and not knowing how long we were going for, some families are still in Melbourne and it's been months since seeing them."
Another premiership would make the sacrifice worthwhile and be a fitting farewell for players leaving the club, including skipper Dale Finucane, Josh Addo-Carr and Hynes.
"They're certainly big shoes to fill, so we want to make sure we do a good job to put a smile on their face before they leave the club and give them a good farewell," Kamikamica said.
"There's a few boys moving on, so you always want to make it special for those guys, especially for what they've done for the club. They've been huge so you definitely want to repay them," said Storm hooker Harry Grant.
Despite the Panthers being the underdogs, they're out for their own payback after last year's grand final loss.
"They are going to be hungry to beat us and firing to make a grand final and try [to] win one," Hynes said.
If Penrith does win the premiership, it'll be their first title in 18 years.
"It's going to be the toughest game we've played. I played against them round three and walked off saying that was the toughest game of footy I've ever played, so I am expecting that again," Hynes said.
