Storm target Hill back to haunt Eels

Having rejected an offer to join them next season, Melbourne five-eighth Scott Hill can disappoint Parramatta one last time in Sunday's qualifying NRL final at Olympic Park.

The Eels made Hill their top recruiting target after losing pivot John Morris to Wests Tigers but they ended up with Sydney Roosters playmaker Brett Finch after the Storm co-captain opted for English club Harlequins.

Hill has been instrumental in guiding Melbourne to the minor premiership and has also been one of the main reasons his side has won five out of the past six clashes between the clubs.

"I spoke to them and had talks with overseas clubs, it was just the way it worked out," Hill said of the contract approach from the Eels.

"The thought of going overseas was a great opportunity for me and my young family.

"You rarely get the opportunity to go and travel through Europe and see that side of the world and get paid to do it.

"At this stage of my career it was good financially, so that's why I decided to finish my career over there."

Adding spice to the match are some colourful comments from the club bosses - Eels CEO Denis Fitzgerald has previously stated the Storm is destined for failure, while counterpart Brian Waldron put the heat on his players by saying he expected nothing less than a premiership this season.

Hill denied the media talk added extra pressure.

"We don't take much notice of that," he said.

"Brian is just excited about the finals series and being part of it.

"As players, we know our objectives and the process we need to go through to produce each week.

"We only worry about results."

The 29-year-old was also at pains to downplay his side's favouritism for the title and for the home finals match against the eight-placed Eels.

"We don't think we're favourites at all and we're just concentrating on Parramatta," he said.

"They've shown what a good side they are over the last 11 weeks, they're going to be very tough.

"We're obviously in a pretty good position but we are all on a level playing field from now on.
"It's all about producing over the next few weeks.

"It only takes one match and it throws you straight out the back."

Eels interchange weapon Dean Widders said all the pressure was on the Storm.

"We've flown under the radar a little bit," Widders said.

"The incentive is there for the side coming first to win and get that extra week off and be just one win from the grand final.

"That will be pressure for them to be on song but nobody expects us to win."