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Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy says he won't risk players ahead of the NRL finals just to match a famous rugby league winning streak.

Coach Craig Bellamy says Melbourne have "bigger fish to fry" which is why he is resting players rather than going all out to match a record winning sequence.

With 18 straight victories, the Storm have already set a new NRL-era record for the longest streak.

But a win over Gold Coast at Cbus Super Stadium on Thursday night will see them enter the record books alongside a famous Eastern Suburbs side.

The Roosters won 19 games in a row en route to claiming the 1975 premiership.

"We haven't really spoken about it too much ... it'd be a nice record to equal but we think we've got bigger fish to fry at the end of the season," Bellamy said on Wednesday.

"So we've given some players a rest to try and do what we think is best and right for us for the end of season games.

"It would be a nice record to have but we're certainly not showing all of our cards there."

Those rested include hooker Brandon Smith and centre Justin Olam while they are taking a cautious approach with big forwards Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Tui Kamikamica in their return from injury.

Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes and co-captain Dale Finucane are missing after head knocks last round.

Melbourne's win record this season is all the more remarkable given their ongoing injury toll, being away from AAMI Park since April and the retirement of legendary captain Cameron Smith.

Among the key injuries was the long absence of fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, who was the form player of the competition before a serious concussion in May.

He will make his first start since then, with Nicho Hynes shifting to No.7 against the Titans to cover Hughes.

"Nicho has been great for us at fullback but it's time for Paps to come in and start playing a bit more time," Bellamy said.

"Having guys like Nicho and Paps in the squad has been ultra handy for us and has proved the big success.

"We know Nicho can play in several positions so we'll see how he goes in the seven tomorrow night."

While the 2020 premiers have still eked out 10-point victories in the past two rounds, the Storm acknowledge they haven't been at their best.

Bellamy put the flat spot down to players still coming off the State of Origin period while he said dealing with some players being away from their Melbourne families had been challenging.

"There's quite a few things to manage but ... we've still found a way to win and I think that's a good sign for us," he said.

"Hopefully we can freshen a few guys up and be physically and mentally fresher toward the end of the year.

"This group will work hard and do what they have to do to be at their best in two or three weeks time."

Meanwhile, Melbourne announced Newcastle forward Josh King had signed a two-year deal.