Craig Bellamy’s high-flying Storm will play the most important NRL match ever held in Melbourne the night before the AFL grand final, avoiding a showdown at neighbouring AAMI Park only hours after the Victorian showpiece.
In a decision designed to capitalise on a public holiday for the AFL decider, the NRL is expected to announce later this week it will schedule Melbourne’s grand final qualifier on Friday week.
The Storm will play the winner of the Roosters and Sea Eagles clash at Allianz Stadium, which will be held on Saturday night.
There was conjecture over when the Storm would play the preliminary final given Melbourne will come to a standstill for the AFL grand final at the MCG, but the NRL want clear air away from its rival code.
“I think it will be a great opportunity for Melbourne Storm to be front and centre on a [Victorian] public holiday the night before the AFL grand final in Melbourne,” Storm chief executive Justin Rodski told this masthead.
“We’d be really confident of a sellout crowd and it will be a great spectacle for the NRL.”
Ryan Papenhuyzen and the Storm will avoid a clash with the AFL grand final.Credit: Getty Images
The AFL’s finals series being one week in advance of the NRL play-offs has caused significant dilemmas for rugby league, with the Swans and GWS Giants both hosting matches in Sydney this season.
The NRL opted not to schedule the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles elimination final at the same time as the Giants’ sudden death semi-final loss to the Lions in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct on Saturday night.