Stephen Kearney overheard talk in the Kiwi camp that leads him to believe the Warriors have pinpointed tomorrow night's clash at Ericsson Stadium as a must-win ahead of a torrid run to the finals.
"They are pining for this match," Kearney, the rock in the Melbourne Storm pack, said.
"I gathered thatfrom the way they were talking last week [in the New Zealand camp], they're looking to try and get this game out of the way because they've got some tough games coming up.
"They know how tough we are, their form hasn't been great all year and they are missing a few key players so they just see it as a key game."
Having just enjoyed three consecutive home games, Melbourne will play just one match at Olympic Park over the next month, and have the Bulldogs away next up.
"It's a big month for us - it would be nice to get August started with a good result in Auckland," said Kearney, who was four years at the club.
"With what the Warriors have done over the past few years its a great challenge to go there and play now.
"Everyone in the competition knows how hard they are to play there now, at times it's like playing the Broncos in Brisbane.
"There's always added incentive, my folks and a few family members will be coming to the game."
Kearney believes he is over the groin injury that has hampered him in recent weeks.
* The Cronulla Sharks named Steve Rogers, Gavin Miller and Andrew Ettingshausen as their three inaugural "immortals" for a Hall of Fame at the club.
