AS MELBOURNE closed ranks around each other, braving the chilly surf of St Kilda but not the microphone, captain Cam Smith issued a parting shot to the Warriors following their history-making victory over the Storm on Sunday, claiming his side lost the game more than the New Zealanders won it.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy banned all of his players from speaking publicly, bar the skipper, after they became the first minor premiers to lose on the first finals weekend. A siege mentality, perhaps. But Smith, the Queensland and Australian hooker, at least offered reasoning behind the Storm's remarkable defeat, which has left them facing an elimination final against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

"It's pretty simple - our discipline," Smith said. "When we had our fair share of the football, I thought we got on top of the Warriors. When we were playing through the middle of the ruck, we were making 50 or 60 metres every time we had the football.

"[But] when we kicked the ball down we would tackle them inside their 20 and give away a penalty. No disrespect to the Warriors, but we lost the game yesterday, I don't think they beat us. That's not being arrogant. If we didn't give away so many penalties, we would have won the game."

Immediately after the game, Smith spoke to his players in a huddle and challenged them to "look in the mirror" after the 18-15 defeat. He liked their response to that challenge as they took part in a recovery session yesterday.

"I think they realise it's semi-final time now and it does take a better performance than what we have dished up in the last 26 weeks to win games," he said. "I guess it's a bit of a reality check. I don't know if the boys were expecting us to win or thought it was going to be any easier, but we're certainly aware of that now, especially having to travel to Brisbane, where the Broncos always play well.

"All the boys were disappointed, very disappointed [on Sunday night]. It was important we didn't come here kicking stones and thinking the world was going to end. We get another opportunity. That's one of the good things about finishing on top - we get another shot at it. I'm pretty sure we're going to get a kick up the bum in the video session by the coaches. The boys are aware that's fully deserved. I think it's important we stay positive and make sure we prepare well for this match."

Of that match, one which pits the Storm against the team which toppled them in the 2006 grand final, Smith said: "It's just one game harder. We have to play one away in Brisbane and then if we win that, we have to play one away in Sydney.

"Obviously it's a bit harder than what we would have wanted - which was a week off and having to play one more match in Melbourne. [But] we play big games up in Brisbane or big games in Sydney and manage to win.

"I don't think it's too big an ask with the team we have got."

Whether that team remains intact remains to be seen. Second-rower Ryan Hoffman had an MRI scan yesterday after aggravating an ankle injury during Sunday's encounter, and is in doubt for the next stop on their premiership defence.

The scan revealed Hoffman had extended his high ankle injury slightly, although Storm high performance manager Mary Toomey said: "Ryan's injury is still at the lower end of ankle strains, however he is experiencing slight pain and swelling, which is to be expected.

"We'll do everything we can to get him right for Brisbane."

Meanwhile, Smith said he would be prepared to speak with Gold Coast officials following their public interest in him.

Titans boss Michael Searle declared his club's interest in the hooker at the weekend, with Smith, off contract at the end of next year. "I haven't heard from him as yet," Smith said. "I haven't made a decision on any contracts. Melbourne have approached me and told me what they're thinking, but we're not too deep into talks yet. If the Gold Coast want to have a chat, I don't think there's any harm chatting to them."