As if giant Brisbane centre Israel Folau wasn't already dangerous enough, he's now got a point to prove.

Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith says he's wary of Folau ahead of Saturday's NRL preliminary final, with the 20-year-old lining up against his old teammates in front of his former home crowd.

The Storm faithful were devastated to lose the match-winning Folau, who smashed club try-scoring records during his two years in Melbourne before his departure to Brisbane ahead of this season.

Folau is only four games back after breaking his ankle and is getting back to his best, scoring three tries in the Broncos' qualifying final win over the Titans while also impressive as they trounced the Dragons in their NRL semi final.

Folau said this week that playing against the Storm gave him "extra motivation" as he wanted to do well against his former club.

Smith said the Test back was a proven big game player.

"He certainly was a big game player for us and I think he's scored plenty of tries over the past two finals games for them," Smith said.

"He'll be up for a big one against us.

"I know he really enjoyed his time down here and playing for the Storm but I think he'd like to get a big game in front of his old home crowd."

While the Storm will be trying to secure a fourth successive grand final, Folau can make it his third straight after two with the Storm with mixed results.

He will be marked by Storm centre Will Chambers, who will also head north at season's end, although he is switching codes to play rugby union with the Queensland Reds.

Melbourne lock Dallas Johnson said Folau wasn't the only player to watch, with his side eyeing bullocking forward Dave Taylor, who has been running amok out wide on Folau's left flank.

"He's been playing the house down," Johnson said.

"He's a huge man with plenty of pace and good skill so how do you stop him - get in front of him, get runners into him and do your best.

"He wants to punch through the line and get them on the front foot so that's something we've got to combat so we've got to get bodies in front of him and knock him over."

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