The Storm and the Sharks will go head to head on Friday in an elimination semi-final with a spot in the NRL grand final up for grabs.

Ahead of the crucial game, Prior has taken aim at Melbourne's wrestling and niggling tactics.

"They’re all pretty good at (niggling)," he told AAP.

"The little headlocks and arm grapples and all that little stuff, they’re pretty good at wrestling, they twist your arm, wrestle your head off. It’s all part of the game.

"I don’t know how [you maintain your composure against these tactics] but you just can’t let it get to you, you’ve got to focus on the job at hand."

Prior has described the Storm as the benchmark team in the NRL.

Melbourne won the grand final last year and made the decider in 2016 as well, only to lose to Cronulla.

"As a group we feel they’ve been the benchmark for the last few years and we’re a team that wants to be in that category," the front-rower said.

"When you’re playing one of the best teams in the comp, you’ve got to rise to the challenge."