By now Craig Bellamy's side should be well accustomed to wearing the favourites tag into a game.
Prior to last week's 30-2 dismantling of red-hot Cronulla, the Storm had played the bottom two sides in the Telstra Premiership.
They will again be expected to take the points when they host the 15th placed Knights at AAMI Park on Monday night.
Should South Sydney fall to Canterbury and Melbourne win as expected, the Victorian side will move back into the top four ahead of a tough finish to the season against the Cowboys (home) and the Broncos (away).
A sprained wrist to Dale Finucane in the final minute of the win over the Sharks has thrown a spanner in the works, with the in-form lock now a long-shot to be ready for the finals given his 4-6 week diagnosis.
The club is yet to name a replacement for Finucane but veteran Ryan Hinchcliffe is odds on to get to call to come in off the bench.
It will be a rare change to a starting side that has been kept largely intact since the State of Origin series.
Since that period the Storm have got their season back on track by with four wins from their past five games.
Consistency in personnel from week-to-week is what the coach believes has been a big factor in steadying the ship.
"Without a doubt, that is ideal at any time of the year to be quite honest but especially coming into the semi finals," Bellamy said.
"If you can have guys who are playing well and keep the same side basically each and every week that is a huge advantage."
Despite last week's result over the Wests Tigers marking just the Knights' second win in 11 games, Bellamy is cautious of a renewed vigor from the visitors who tasted a maiden win under interim coach and club legend Danny Buderus.
"I know Danny Buderus really well and I know those guys will be really playing for him at the moment and keen to do well for him," Bellamy said.
"You saw how excited he was last week after winning, which was nice to see, but I just hope he ain't that excited on Monday night.
"He has played with all those guys and they know not only what a good person and good player he is, he bled for Newcastle.
"If the players want any motivation they need only to look at their coach."
The Knights will look to make it three wins from four games against the Storm when the two teams meet at 7pm on Monday night at AAMI Park.
