Hopeful that Wayde Egan can overcome an elbow injury to face Melbourne, Warriors coach Andrew Webster says he will keep the Storm guessing if he has to bring in a new hooker.
The Warriors are looking to rebound from their first-round loss to the Sharks and end a 10-year losing streak against the Storm at AAMI Park.
Melbourne are flying high after knocking over three-time defending champions Penrith in their opening-round clash.
Star rake Egan was forced off late in the first half of their 16-12 loss to Cronulla, with his team going off the boil after his early exit.
Webster said Egan was still a chance to face the Storm.
"Wayde ran on the sidelines today," he said from Auckland on Wednesday.
"We'll have the captain's run before we leave and we'll give him every chance up until kick-off.
"He's got a dodgy elbow .. that has flared up, and it's just whether he can get range in his elbow, and if he can pass and tackle he can play."
While Freddy Lussick is the obvious candidate to replace Egan, Webster said utility Dylan Walker was also a chance, but he wouldn't reveal his line-up until as late as possible.
"We will keep that secret, as I think Melbourne are the best team I've seen in preparing for an opposition," Webster said.
"They will do their homework, so we will keep that to ourselves so they only find out on game day, but we're hopeful and confident Wayde can play."
He said second-rower Kurt Capewell was "in pain" with a rib cartilage injury but a certainty to suit up.
While their past 10 matches in Melbourne have gone the home side's way, Webster said his team's gutsy effort in their 2023 clash, going down 30-22, gave them confidence.
The Warriors were reduced to an empty bench, with skipper Tohu Harris among four casualties to surrender a second-half 22-12 lead.
"We played a really good style of footy," Webster said.
"We got some bad injuries and we weren't good enough to take those opportunities off the back of some disruption that night.
"That game taught us a lot for the back-end of the season and helped us going on a run."
He said there was also a lot to like about their performance against the Sharks.
"There were so many things I celebrated last week about the game,'' Webster said.
"We've got to deliver, but we've got complete confidence in ourselves and we're excited for the challenge."
