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Manly's Steve Menzies knows just how the Melbourne players are feeling this week - he went through it all a decade ago.
The veteran back-rower is the last remaining Sea Eagle from the club's last golden period, three straight grand final appearances between 1995-97 which yielded a premiership in 1996.
On Tuesday Menzies compared Manly's 1995 side, which was ambushed by the then Canterbury Bulldogs in the grand final, with the 2006-07 minor premiers, who suffered the same fate at the hands of Brisbane last year.
Asked about the mental pressures on the Storm ahead of Sunday's grand final against the Sea Eagles, he said: "I suppose a grand final's a different game completely.
"In `95 I think we were the best side, a similar scenario, only lost a handful of games the whole year and came out and never found our rhythm and never really got into the game and never looked like winning.
"So I think we learned from that the year after and I'm sure they'll (Melbourne will) be better for the experience.
"I think that's one of the things that's obviously going to assist them this year compared to last year.
"I think we'll just have to overcome that just on the day with our inexperience."
Menzies said mentally preparing for a grand final meant being ready to weather the first 10-15 minutes.
"I think it's just in your nature, whatever type of player you are ... however people prepare, just do it as normal as you can," he said.
"If we can just get into the rhythm of our game as early as possible, because it's going to be pretty crazy the first 10 minutes.
"Once it's 10 or 15 minutes old, it's just another game of rugby league and you forget about the crowd and what's at stake."
Menzies is keen to improve his record from 1-2 to 2-2 at Telstra Stadium on Sunday.
"I was lucky enough to play in three and only won one so it would be nice to get back to 50 per cent I suppose."
