Young bucks bracing for heavy Storm front to hit Brookie

Manly backrowers Corey Waddell and Jack Gosiewski were wide-eyed teenagers when the 'Battle of Brookvale' unfolded at Lottoland, but they know enough to be wary of what might unfold on Saturday night when the Storm come to town.

Waddell was suspended for head-butting earlier this year, while Gosiweski has had a couple of cooling off periods in the sin-bin, which makes them prime candidates for Melbourne's forwards to stir the pot a little.

"I am prepared for it," Waddell told NRL.com on possibly being a target.

"It's something I've been working on hard to keep in check. When you're out there emotions can sometimes get the better of us.

"So controlling that in a good way is what we all need to do, me included, and not get involved in any mess. If we play to our game and our strengths that will put us on the path to a win."

Waddell was 15 when the 2011 round 25 game erupted after a stink between the Storm's Adam Blair and Sea Eagles backrower Glenn Stewart. The end result of the flare-ups, which spilled onto the sideline benches, had 10 players charged.

Gosiewski was 17 and is fully across what took place, although he said it had not been discussed this week.

"As a playing group and personally I wasn't involved in it. But I obviously saw it and back then it was a really big thing," Gosiewski said.

"But now eight years on, it's another game against Melbourne and they are a very good side.

"Again we have to be at our best. But the Battle at Brookie references are still good for the game, good for the fans … I hear tickets are selling fast.

"It will build up the game more, but for us I can't see it influencing this game. Melbourne brings a big game and a hard game no matter what so that's what we've been talking about this week."

The other talk is about Joel Thompson's broken arm, but on a brighter note Curtis Sironen is expected to return from a hamstring strain.

Sironen slotting back onto the right edge means Gosiewski will probably check in at the left and have to push out 80 minutes, which he's only had to do twice in his 16 games this year.

"I've played 80 minutes before but against Melbourne it will be difficult – it could be 90 minutes – but I'm up for the challenge," the 25-year-old said.

The round 19 game went to golden point at AAMI Park, for an 11-10 win to the Sea Eagles after Daly Cherry-Evans slotted a field goal.

"DCE obviously, Dylan [Walker] goes well and Api [Koroisau] is kicking them all the time at training," Gosiewski said on who might be called on to separate the two sides.

"I'm expecting a close game again. I don't think either team will be running away with it."

Rookie Waddell has not played 80 minutes in his 19 NRL games and is averaging 55-60 minutes off the bench. He did start just once against his old club Penrith – at lock – when Jake Trbojevic was on Origin duties in round 12.

"Des [coach Hasler] hasn't said anything to me but obviously I'd love to start and every week I'm looking to play more minutes – that's obviously a goal of mine. That's what I want to do," the 22-year-old said.

"I'm really hungry to play more minutes so if I need to do that I will give it my best for the team."

As for Thompson, both players looked up to him and leaned on his leadership skills.

He is expected to miss four weeks after surgery on Monday for a break in his right forearm.

Waddell is hoping Thompson can heal "super quick" be back for the second or third week of finals.

"His head is really good," he said.

"He's got the mentality to get back as soon as he can so we have to keep winning for him."