IF Melbourne intend treating the last game of their ignominious NRL season as an exhibition and playing like the Harlem Globetrotters, the Knights are not planning to be the Washington Generals.
With more than 13,000 losses to their name since being formed in 1952, the Generals - occasionally known by other names - are the poor saps the Globetrotters use as whipping boys when the world-famous basketball troupe take their sporting sideshow on the road.
In their last game for nothing, the Storm are tipped to turn AAMI Park into a playground, chancing their arm at every opportunity and cranking up the razzle-dazzle to give departing stars including Greg Inglis, Ryan Hoffman and Brett White a spectacular send-off.
The Knights cannot make the finals, but coach Rick Stone hopes they crash Melbourne's party, finish the season with four wins from their last six matches, and give themselves a solid platform to build on when pre-season training kicks off in two months.
"We understand and respect Melbourne but we're looking forward to finishing the season strong and showing some of the form we've shown in the last couple of months," Stone said.
"I think most competitive people are happy to get into that environment, where you've got a big crowd and you're on a big stage, and our blokes are no different."
Newcastle's last win in Melbourne was by 36-26 at Olympic Park on March 21, 2004.
The Knights have scored a total of just 34 points in five straight defeats there since, but they have stretched the Storm in the past two losses in the Victorian capital and are yet to play the dethroned 2007 and 2009 premiers at AAMI Park.
It took some late Inglis fireworks to conjure up the go-ahead try in Melbourne's 18-14 victory at Olympic Park on July 4 year, and the Knights have won two of the past three in Newcastle.
"If you look at the last five games against Melbourne, probably since 2007, the Knights have been competitive in every game, whether it's been at Olympic Park or up here at EAS," Stone said.
"We're excited about playing the Storm.
"They've generally been the benchmark of the competition the last few years, and this week's no different.
"This is a terrific way for us to finish the year, I reckon - full house, Melbourne have got plenty to play for because they're saying goodbye to a few of their stars, and we're going down to the rectangular stadium for the first time, so we're all looking forward to it."
Knights centre Junior Sa'u (hamstring) will miss the chance to impress New Zealand Test coach Stephen Kearney, an assistant to Storm mentor Craig Bellamy, in the lead-up to the Four Nations tournament next month.
Prop Ben Cross was cleared to play against his old club but will have a pain-killing injection in his left hand, which he broke against the Dragons last Saturday.
Fellow front-rower Richie Fa'aoso, who has not missed a game this season or last, did not train yesterday due to a virus which affected Scott Dureau and Antonio Kaufusi earlier in the week.
Stone said Fa'aoso would be checked at training today before the team leaves for Melbourne, and 18th man Joel Edwards was on stand-by.
Knights junior Brett Finch (hand) has been ruled out for Melbourne in what would have been his last NRL game, and Bellamy is expected to use Luke Kelly or Gareth Widdop as his replacement at five-eighth.
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