PENRITH are not intending to go the knuckle against Melbourne tonight, but they are well aware they will have to match one of the most physical challenges in the NRL if they hope to upset the odds-on premiership favourites at CUA Stadium.

There have been a few theories going around on what a team has to do to beat the Storm, and the old chestnut of trying to bash them to put them off their game is among them, but Panthers coach Matthew Elliott doesn't pay any homage to that one.

"I've seen the Melbourne guys talk at their post-match press conferences on TV and they are obviously used to being the hunted," Elliott said yesterday. "Some teams have decided they will adopt an old-school approach against them, a 'cattle dog' approach, but what I see with the Melbourne side is a team that has been together for a long time.

"If you do that to try to knock them out of their rhythm, then you do something that I haven't seen work against them yet.

"If you come out and say, 'We're going to bash them', you're saying you don't think you're capable of beating them by playing your best footy.

"Our approach against them will be similar to our normal approach to playing … But, at the same time, we have to be ready for one of the biggest physical challenges in the game."

Elliott says the general focus on Melbourne's ability to score spectacular tries and their wrestling tactics have not taken his eyes off what he believes they do best.

"They are the hardest-running team in the comp," he said. "… I can talk to you about their structures and the intricacies of their play, but I think some teams get a bit distracted by that.

"Everyone focuses on what they do after the tackle, but it's the force they bring when they actually make the tackle that is their mark. They really jam their shoulders in. What they do, with their physical approach, is bring it more consistently, on both a week-to-week basis and an 80-minute basis, than anyone else.

"We'll look to use our strengths in attack, but we'll also look to get involved in the physical contest. That's the sort of footy Melbourne will play."

Penrith can score points, but their defence has come up short. They were in ninth place before the start of the round, one point outside the top eight, and have a tough draw to finish the season, with an away game against the Warriors and a home game against Manly.