Melbourne won’t take time to enjoy the NRL minor premiership, with their attention turning to the qualifying final against defending champions North Queensland.

The Storm were at their ruthless best against Cronulla, winning 26-6, to claim the minor premiership in the final round of the regular competition.

Captain Cameron Smith said winning the JJ Giltinan Shield meant a lot to his team, but realised it would be quickly forgotten with the finals starting next weekend.

The Storm will host the Johnathan Thurston-led Cowboys at AAMI Park – the same venue where North Queensland inflicted a painful 32-12 loss in the preliminary final last year to end Melbourne’s title aspirations.

The Storm have won both their clashes this year but Smith said finals were a different story.

“This is finals and these guys are the reigning premiers so they know how to play these big games,” Smith said.

“In recent years they’ve had a pretty good record down in Melbourne and when you win a competition you don’t fear any team or any venue and we’re aware of that.

“But at the end of the day this is our home ground and we’ve got a pretty good record and our goal will be to keep that intact.”

The winner of the Storm-Cowboys final will have week two off and move straight through to the preliminary final.

AAP