Melbourne have scrapped their policy of resting State of Origin players in a bid to nail down a top-four spot in the pursuit of back-to-back premierships.
The Storm have rotated their representative stars in late-season games for the past two years in order for them to freshen up before the finals. But Melbourne aren't in a position to take their opposition lightly this year after three losses when their Origin stars were unavailable.
They trail competition frontrunners Manly and are on level points with the Roosters and Sharks.
Storm skipper Cameron Smith said it would be left to the individual, as well as medical staff, to decide whether a player sits out a game. But he planned to play every match.
"Going on last year, I ended up having a rest against the Sharks and I thought that probably didn't work as well as I wanted it to," Smith said.
"So this year, personally, I think having a couple of days away from training for the next couple of weeks and then keep playing will be best."
This week the Origin players were given an additional two-day break, and coach Craig Bellamy planned to continue the reduced training schedule for the next few weeks to keep their minds and bodies fresh.
"If I have a couple of days away from the club then I feel fresh as a daisy," Smith said.
The NRL draw also hasn't done Melbourne any favours.
They take on St George Illawarra tomorrow night before flying to New Zealand on Friday for a Sunday game against the Warriors.
After flying home on Monday they have to back up for a Friday night match against the Titans.
Then the premiers face high-flyers Manly and the Roosters in successive weeks.
Smith said hardworking forwards Brett White, Dallas Johnson and Ryan Hoffman would probably be rested for a game, while backs Greg Inglis, Billy Slater and Israel Folau would be more likely to continue playing.
He said it would be a tough task to topple any of the top teams without their best players on the paddock, but winning the competition was the priority.
"We haven't got the luxury of being four points clear like we have been in the last couple of years when Craig's brought in that rotation system to give the blokes a rest," Smith said. "There's three of us tied for second and then it's not too far to ninth so you only have to have a couple of losses and you're in a bit of strife.
"Our goal is to keep winning and give ourselves a good chance of finishing in the top four, and if that means we have to all keep playing then that's what we have to do."
The Storm have not given up hope of securing their third successive minor premiership.
"It would be nice to do it because not many teams have done that, but it's more important to get everyone right for the finals and be fresh," Smith said. "If we can go all the way again to the grand final it would be great to have everyone on deck."