Bellamy expecting Penrith to return to peak form

Coach Craig Bellamy is expecting Penrith to be back to their bench-mark best in Thursday's grand final rematch, saying they will bring a winning attitude to Melbourne.

Melbourne have been triumphant in eight of the last nine against the Panthers at AAMI Park but would happily trade that record for a victory in last year's title decider, which they lost 14-6.

While Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said the Storm would be motivated by the grand final result, Bellamy said on Wednesday it was "just another game".

Melbourne have had a protracted preparation for the highly-anticipated clash due to their second-round bye as the Panthers had a shock loss to the undermanned Sydney Roosters.

Bellamy isn't expecting Penrith to again be below par.

"Obviously it wasn't ideal for Penrith but you know they've been in the last five grand finals and they know how to win," he said.

"We know they'll turn up here tomorrow night with that sort of attitude.

"Whether they play bad - you've got to give the Roosters a bit of credit ... but Panthers know how to win, and they're probably stiffen up after last week.

"They know what they're good at and they stick to that, so we know they'll come with that sort of mentality tomorrow night, especially after last week."

Winger Will Warbrick will miss the match due to lingering concussion symptoms with his place taken by Grant Anderson, while Bellamy was coy about the role Nelson Asofa-Solomona would play.

The giant prop's presence was badly missed in the grand final due to a five-game suspension and he almost sat out this clash before escaping with a warning after a Queensland Cup charge.

"He's available, he hasn't played much footy this year because of the suspension, but, yeah, we'll just see what happens today and then and then go from there.

"We'll see how he goes through training and the other guys and make a decision from there."

Apart from Warbrick the Storm are set to be at full strength while the Panthers have lost five players from their starting grand final line-up including star playmaker Jarome Luai, who is now in Wests Tigers colours.

With 13 games under his belt, 21-year-old Jack Cole is now partnering Nathan Cleary in the halves.

"I think young Cole's probably still fitting in there but he's obviously a very talented player too and he's just going to get better each and every week," said Bellamy.

"It takes a while for a half to to fit into a new team, but he's obviously got a whole heap of ability or they wouldn't put him in there."

Penrith's Test fullback Dylan Edwards will also miss with a groin strain but Bellamy rated the talent of his replacement Daine Laurie.

"Dylan's a heavily involved player whereas young Laurie's got great pace and ability to beat a man, so a different style of player so it will be interesting to see how they use it."