The table-topping Storm side heads into tonight's clash with Penrith at CUA Stadium on track for successive minor premierships, having won six from seven since State of Origin finished.

On paper its run to the finals is not exactly daunting, with matches against Newcastle and South Sydney to follow the Panthers clash.

But Bellamy said the Storm side could not afford to cruise towards the finals and had to be aware it was facing teams willing to throw everything at it.

''We're going to be running into some desperate teams, teams that are fighting for their lives,'' Bellamy said. ''We certainly don't go into any game not expecting a tough game. That's the nature of this competition it's fairly close.''

Penrith must win at least two of its last three matches against the Storm, Warriors and Manly to have any chance of reaching the finals.

However, captain Petero Civoniceva said there was no talk of failure among a team still rebuilding confidence after a shock 74-12 thrashing by Canberra a fortnight ago.

''We haven't really even spoken about it,'' Civoniceva said of what was needed to make the top eight. ''After that Canberra game it was just a matter of us getting our confidence back in each other and obviously it was a game that took a fair bit out of us.

''Credit to the boys they turned it around [by thrashing the Bulldogs 52-16 last week].

''We definitely know how hard it is going to be against the Storm but if we play to our potential anything can happen.''

The Storm will not return to Melbourne after tonight's match, instead moving up to the NSW Central Coast for a four-day training camp before Saturday's clash with the Knights. AAP