Melbourne Storm will kick off the NRL season against Brisbane and host two marquee AAMI Park games during the April holidays next year against Sydney Roosters on Good Friday followed by the traditional Anzac Day clash with New Zealand Warriors.
Hosting a Good Friday game offers the potential for another sell-out crowd considering it shapes as club legend Cooper Cronk’s first game back in Victoria after moving to the Roosters last season where he helped them to a grand final win over the Storm.
Storm great Cameron Smith.Credit:AAP
The now traditional Anzac night clash regularly draws capacity, or near capacity, crowds and with Good Friday on April 19, the April 25 clash will provide the Storm the chance to put on two major games within the space of a week.
The Storm will host the Brisbane Broncos to open the season on Thursday March 14 while the AFL is still in pre-season and, with the growing possibility of the Broncos having a new coach, a lot of attention will be drawn to the contest.
Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy hailed the team’s schedule as offering a platform to grow the game in Victoria.
Storm fans will also celebrate more family friendly timeslots and 12 Storm games being on free-to-air television which is more than most seasons.
“It’s something we should all be proud of at Storm,” Donaghy said.
“We have worked really hard to make three grand finals in a row, we didn’t get the chocolates last season but this is a great chance to showcase rugby league against a big team at AAMI Park on a weekend when there is no AFL so it’s a real showpiece for us.
“We follow Good Friday up with a traditional clash against NZ Warriors. First time Cooper is back in Melbourne since last year. Even though he is playing in a different jersey I’m sure our fans still love him despite the result and it will be a big occasion for us to take on Roosters down here on Good Friday.”
The Storm have long wanted more afternoon or 5.30pm home games instead of night-time kick-offs and the NRL has given them four games in those slots.
The Storm are also looking at hosting a trial game in Melbourne for the first time since 2017 which is something a number of fans wanted to see after all the club’s lead-up games were either out of town or behind closed doors last season.
Donaghy said the Storm needed every chance it could get to showcase rugby league to wider Victorian audiences.
“From a fan point of view, the opportunity to see more games not only on pay but through free-to-air as well is a win,” Donaghy said.
"The game is in great shape in Victoria, our grass roots numbers are at record numbers as are our crowds and members at Storm.
“A great platform has been laid and now we have an opportunity there to continue that growth. I strongly believe the draw supports that from a schedule prospective in Melbourne and from a broadcasting prospective right across the season.”
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