Two-time grand final winner Petero Civoniceva believes Canterbury's best chance of causing an upset in Sunday's NRL decider will be to rattle Melbourne's big stars.

The composure of Storm trio Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith has the likes of Civoniceva, Scott Prince and Johnathan Thurston expecting the trophy to find a home in Melbourne this year.

But the recently retired Civoniceva says Canterbury will have a chance if they can break up Melbourne's rhythm.

"The Bulldogs have got to play an unsettling style to really throw everything at Melbourne," Civoniceva told AAP on Wednesday.

"And they're a team that is capable of doing that.

"(Five-eighth) Josh Reynolds for sure he can play an unsettling style.

"That's the beauty of his game. He's just a tough little competitor.

"Just the performance on the weekend, he gave it his all.

"He was playing hurt with a busted shoulder for a while there but he just continued to keep finding something to drive them forward."

Perhaps the best chance for the Bulldogs to disrupt Melbourne's structured play is through their ball-playing forwards.

Sam Kasiano, James Graham, Frank Pritchard and Greg Eastwood create second-phase play for their outside backs with tip-on passes and clever offloads.

"Take nothing away from the Bulldogs forwards," Gold Coast playmaker Prince said.

"They do help the young halves in certain field positions which allows them to run."

Civoniceva said Kasiano could be the key.

"He's had an unbelievable year. The versatility he brings to his game for a big man is awesome to watch," Civoniceva said.

"A lot of the great attacking movements for the Bulldogs are generated from him and his other forwards when they string a few passes together."

Meanwhile, Civoniceva believes while the stripped premierships would be providing motivation for the Storm this weekend, coach Craig Bellamy is too wise to let it be their main focus.

"I think you play better when you don't let emotion cloud your judgement," the former Brisbane and Penrith enforcer said.

"In my experience I think the bigger the game the less complicated you have to be.

"Most definitely it will be something they've discussed but I think from knowing how Craig Bellamy works, it definitely wouldn't be part of their focus at all.

"They know what's got to be done.

"I don't think (the stripped premierships) will be part of their thought patterns in preparing for this game.

"I know they're a very professional outfit and they'll be focused on what they need to do to win."