Remembering back as a player, there was a period post-Origin, let’s say two to four matches, where you’d slowly disconnect from interstate football and rediscover your club mojo. Almost out of nowhere, the weather starts to get a little warmer and finals football becomes the focus again. It’s like a fresh start, and there’s certainly an uplift in enthusiasm. The intensity in games rises because players are super-keen to chase the September dream.

While playing finals is not necessarily a topic you’re talking about as a group all season long, it’s definitely something that every player feels. If a top-four or top-eight finish is a possibility for your side, you just know; it’s not like you’re sitting around doing the math. It’s just a subconscious thought. “We’re in the mix for the finals, which means we’re in the mix for the big one." And everyone wants to win the big one.

I’m pretty sure there are coaches who would approach the last quarter of the regular season with a finals theme, but only as a trigger to play their best football immediately. Focus too far into the future and you run the risk of losing power in the present, which is the surest way to miss your target. Balance is the key.

The excitement of finals can have amazing effects on a squad. I’ve seen teams who appear to be flat late in the campaign start to get a sense that something special still might be possible. Think Cowboys in 2017. Having battled their way to eighth position, the freshness of a “new season” gave North Queensland a kick all the way to a grand final.

The Storm's energy levels will lift over the next few weeks because they can see what's coming. (Photo by Getty Images)

And then there’s the Melbourne Storm this year. They’ve kind of snuck up on us, haven’t they? I don’t know why I ever doubted they’d be front and centre at this time of year; making and winning finals is just what they do. Their relentless pursuit of excellence is phenomenal. They have a coach and a core group of players who have done just about everything in the sport, yet they remain as enthusiastic as ever about winning the big games. When you think about the Cowboys maybe suffering some sort of hangover this season because they fought so hard to get into last year’s grand final, can I remind you that the Storm actually won the thing?

I look at the two teams who have stamped themselves on the competition in the last month, Melbourne and the Sydney Roosters, and I’ve got no doubt that their energy levels have lifted because they can see what’s coming.

By the time you get to Cameron Smith's or Cooper Cronk’s age as a player, there has to be a bit of sameness about what you’re doing in the home-and-away rounds. The enormous amount of discipline it must take to not compromise their preparation through that long and grinding period in the middle of the season is phenomenal.

But we know why they do it: the burning desire to play and win the biggest games on the biggest stage. It becomes all-consuming, and here we go again.

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