Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater holds a crucial advantage with Reece Walsh set to feature on his six-man interchange bench.
The standout player from the Brisbane Broncos narrowly missed selection for Game 1, which ended in a heart-stopping 22-20 defeat against the NSW Blues in Sydney.
Instead of retaining Broncos teammate Ezra Mam, Slater decided to include Walsh for the crucial Melbourne match.
Slater is likely evaluating how best to deploy Walsh alongside star fullback Kalyn Ponga, a combination that could spell trouble for Blues defenders.
In spite of any injury concerns, Walsh might be integrated into the game plan as part of a strategic effort to counter the opposition from down south.
This wouldn't be the first instance of the dynamic duo playing together, as Slater previously introduced Ponga off the bench during the 2024 decider.
Though that night concluded in disappointment for the Sunshine State, with a 14-4 loss at a packed Suncorp Stadium, the urgency of the current series could see Slater leveraging Walsh strategically, rather than merely as backup for the outside backs.
However, both the Maroons and Slater are keeping their cards close to their chest.
"I'm not sure what the plan is. I'm not giving you anything."