The Storm sealed a record-breaking third straight JJ Giltinan Shield, scoring enough points in its final-round 42-4 win over Souths last night to relegate Manly to second on points differential, and is now eyeing back-to-back premierships.

It opens its campaign with a qualifying final against the eighth-placed Warriors in Melbourne next Sunday afternoon.

''I think it's probably our best,'' Bellamy said when asked where the minor premiership ranked.

''They've earned it more than any other years in that we played before three Origin games without nine or 10 players and I don't think any team's ever done that.

''These guys have been ultra-consistent and they really deserved the minor premiership this year.''

Melbourne overcame a difficult preparation with gun five-eighth Greg Inglis rushing to Coffs Harbour on Saturday and then driving to Sydney to be by the hospital bedside of his father, Wade Blair, who suffered a heart attack.

His father's condition stabilised although Inglis will return to Sydney today.

''It was a wonderful gesture for him to come back and for him to go out and play like he did was a huge effort,'' Bellamy said.

The Melbourne faithful were on their feet early as retiring veteran Matt Geyer led the side out on to the paddock for his last home-and-away game after 11 seasons.

Geyer, who converted the final try of the night, made his night even more memorable by opening the scoring with a try in the fifth minute.

''That was great, although I probably could have scored a few more tries,'' Geyer joked.

The Storm reached its required 26-point margin in the 57th minute through in-form fullback Billy Slater.

Cameron Smith converted to boost the scoreline to 32-4 and then the home side kept the Bunnies at bay to the delight of the raucous 13,875-strong Olympic Park crowd.

After Geyer's opening try Melbourne's push hit a stumbling block with Slater sin-binned nine minutes into the game.

Slater pulled off a try-saving tackle on Souths winger Jamie Simpson but referee Steve Lyons ruled a professional foul as he failed to let Simpson up to play the ball.

But Slater turned from villain to hero in the second half.

At the 53rd minute he collected a Chris Sandow kick 1m inside the tryline and raced the length of the field to score between the posts.

His next try, four minutes later, came off an Israel Folau break with the burly centre throwing a long ball inside. It missed the target player but Slater scooped it up.

The only downside for Melbourne was the sight of hardworking lock Dallas Johnson limping from the field with two minutes remaining.

He will undergo scans on his knee today. AAP