The Melbourne Storm are making a bold bid to bring the NRL Grand Final to their home city, potentially setting a new crowd record and further solidifying the team's presence in Melbourne. Storm chief executive Justin Rodski has floated the idea of moving the season finale to the MCG, with a potential record crowd and a significant boost for the club in its home city as the motivating factors. However, the current NRL Grand Final is scheduled to be played in Sydney, with a one-year deal in place.
The Grand Final's Potential Move To Melbourne
Rodski's vision for a Melbourne Grand Final has garnered attention and has been met with mixed reactions from fans and stakeholders. He envisions the iconic MCG as the perfect venue to host the NRL's biggest game, citing the potential for a record crowd and a significant boost for the club in its home city.
Rodski's proposal has been met with interest from the MCC (Melbourne Cricket Club), who manage the MCG. The idea has also gained traction with the Victorian Government, who have indicated support for the bid. The potential for a Melbourne Grand Final has raised eyebrows, with the current agreement seeing the game played in Sydney for this season.
The NRL's Response
While the NRL has not officially responded to the Storm's proposal, ARLC chairman Peter V'landys has previously expressed his openness to exploring a Super Bowl-type model for the grand final, where the game rotates annually between cities. This could see the Victorian Government and the Storm joining forces to secure the grand final for future years. V'landys has also emphasized the importance of expanding the NRL's footprint in Queensland, a point that could potentially hinder Melbourne's chances of securing the game.
The Storm's Perspective
The Storm's push for a Melbourne Grand Final is not just about a single game, but a larger strategy to further establish the club as a dominant force in their city. Rodski emphasizes the ability of the Storm to move quickly and decisively on major decisions, thanks to their private ownership model. This agility could be key in securing a future grand final.
The Storm's Current Focus: The Finals
While the grand final ambitions are certainly exciting, Storm coach Craig Bellamy remains grounded in the immediate task at hand: leading his team to another finals victory. Bellamy, never known for his overconfidence, has expressed cautious optimism about his team's chances in the upcoming finals. While acknowledging the challenges, he believes the Storm are hitting their stride at the right time and have the players to make a serious run for the title.
Strength in Depth
Bellamy has been impressed by the resilience and depth of his squad, particularly considering the injuries they have faced this season. Notably, the return of winger Xavier Coates has boosted the Storm's attack, while halfback Jahrome Hughes, a Dally M Medal favorite, is playing with immense confidence. Bellamy has even described the team's current situation as a “nice problem,” with more players vying for positions than spots available.
The Sharks Stand In The Way
The Storm's first test in the finals will be a rematch against the Cronulla Sharks, a team Bellamy considers one of the form sides in the competition. The Sharks inflicted a surprise defeat on the Storm at home in round 10, but Bellamy is confident his team, which was missing key players like Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen on that occasion, is a much different beast now.
The Final Word: The Storm's Grand Final Dreams
The Storm's ambitious bid to host the NRL Grand Final represents a significant shift in the landscape of rugby league. While the grand final's future remains uncertain, Rodski's bold proposal has sparked a conversation about the potential for the game to be played outside of Sydney for the first time in several years. Whether the Storm can realize their grand final dream remains to be seen, but their determination to make Melbourne the center of rugby league is undeniable.
