Images have emerged from Melbourne Storm training leading into Friday's preliminary final against Penrith of Storm players donning Panthers jerseys in opposed sessions.
As the mystery surrounding Jarome Luai's place in Penrith's side intensifies, Melbourne has wasted little time in trying to mimic the two-time reigning premiers' style of play, all the way down to their playing kit.
Players outside the top 17 always run against the first team but having them dressed like the opposition is seldom, if ever, seen during the regular season.
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"It's something we just do in finals," Melbourne general manager of football Frank Ponissi told The Sydney Morning Herald. "The reserves obviously play like the opposition and we're trying to make it as realistic as we can.
"We haven't done it the last two weeks, but we're near the pointy end now, so we'll give it a crack. It's only minor, a little thing, but all the little things make big things."
Storm skipper Christian Welch said his team dissected the Panthers' play more than any other team.
"They're probably the most watched team," he said. "They're so impressive and so well coached. That's the modern-day NRL, setting up for a big structured play is good.
"But tries come off quick play-the-balls. Penrith know that.
"When they're attacking, they try to find a quick play-the-ball, drop-offs, their back-rowers are running at three-ins and four-ins, and then they go. You can tell there's a massive focus when they're defending not to let a quick play-the-ball.
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"They're really smart defensively. That's the trouble trying to score quick points against Penrith when they're so effective in contact."
Penrith players were asked for their thoughts about the tactic at training on Wednesday, with Moses Leota describing the Storm's actions as "weird".
"That was the first time I've seen that," he said. "That's probably just how they were preparing, that's it. It is funny to see how other teams prepare differently to how we prepare."
Fellow Penrith front-rower James Fisher-Harris said, "I heard about it… I'd do that, it's pretty smart. Maybe it's just [about] the awareness. Whatever helps the team. That's why they are doing it."
The two teams meet at Accor Stadium on Friday.
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