Melbourne Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen believes his side's qualifying final loss to the Raiders on Saturday night may prove to be a blessing in disguise.

The minor premiers fell to a 12-10 defeat to Canberra at AAMI Park to open their finals campaign and now have a tough path ahead to better last year's runner-up finish behind the Roosters.

The Storm now have a cut-throat match against the winner of Sunday's clash between the Eels and the Broncos and a preliminary final match-up against the Roosters awaits should they prove victorious.

But Papenhuyzen thinks the tough run ahead might work in the Storm's favour as it will allow them to build some valuable momentum as the finals progress.

"The good thing is we can roll into what is coming now," Papenhuyzen said.

"We don't have a week off so we can just charge that momentum back up.

"Whoever it is we will be ready and we’ve shown this year we can bounce back pretty good."