Storm hooker Ryan Hinchcliffe believes the reigning premiers are 'just as hungry' in 2010 as they were on the way to last year's NRL title.
Speaking on Wednesday afternoon following training, in the lead-up to Saturday night's season-opening clash with Cronulla on the road, Hinchcliffe told Sportal that coach Craig Bellamy has the players primed for another assault at the premiership.
"I think it's exactly the same if not more," Hinchcliffe said of the players' motivation ahead of another campaign.
"One thing Craig teaches (us) is not to rest on your laurels (because) if you sleep for one minute you'll be beaten."
"We're always out there to better ourselves and to work harder each time we train and to get better each time we train."
"I think everyone's just as hungry if not hungrier than we were last year and we definitely want to be successful again."
After joining the club from Canberra at the end of 2008, Hinchcliffe spent most of last season coming off the bench as back-up hooker to skipper Cam Smith and was a member of the 17-man squad that beat Parramatta in the grand final.
But with Smith playing at halfback in the early rounds until regular playmaker Cooper Cronk returns following off-season groin surgery, Hinchcliffe was the starting No.9 for the recent trip to England for the World Club Challenge.
Having helped Melbourne beat English Super League champions the Leeds Rhinos, Hinchcliffe will again don the No.9 jersey in the early rounds but isn't looking too far ahead even though some strong performances could help him cement a regular berth in the starting 13.
"Yeah I've definitely got a chance to play a bit more time at No.9 which I really enjoy," he added.
"We're only worried about these first few games when I'll be playing hooker while Cooper's still out injured."
"Apart from that, he (Bellamy) hasn't really indicated what my role will be after that."
"When Coop comes back there will be opportunities for me to play a little bit more in the middle."
"I'm just excited, I've had a big pre-season and (I'm) just looking forward to playing, it's an exciting time of year and I know the boys are jumping out of their skin."
Having been in doubt for the grand final after injuring his knee in the preliminary final romp against Brisbane, Hinchcliffe is still getting over the problem but insists it will not affect him out on the field.
"The knee's still giving me a little bit of grief, it's just slowly getting better," Hinchcliffe added.
"I have to strap it up for each session but as far as movement wise it doesn't restrict me at all."