- No AFL in Melbourne this weekend due to Gather Round
- Footy supporters will instead attend NRL at AAMI Park
- Storm and Warriors both in promising early season form
The Melbourne Storm have capitalised on the AFL being in Adelaide for Gather Round, selling out AAMI Park quicker than for any regular season NRL game in their storied history.
Without any AFL games in Melbourne this weekend, the Storm will be the live sport option of choice in the city when they host the New Zealand Warriors on Sunday from 2pm AEST.
The club is hoping the crowd will go close to reaching AAMI Park’s capacity of 30,050.
Storm chief executive Justin Rodski was ‘absolutely thrilled’ by the outcome.
‘It is a testament to the incredible support of our members and fans, and the excitement around what’s shaping up to be one of the biggest games of the season so far,’ Rodski said.
‘With Sunday being the only footy in town this weekend, all eyes are on Melbourne Storm, and we can’t wait to put on a show in front of a packed and sold-out AAMI Park.’
The Melbourne Storm have capitalised on the AFL being in Adelaide for Gather Round this weekend, selling out AAMI Park quicker than for any regular season NRL game in their history (pictured, fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen)
It promises to be a mouth-watering clash, with both the Storm and Warriors in ominous form (pictured, five-eighth Cameron Munster)
The premiership-favourite Storm will host the surging Warriors, who head to the Victorian capital with a 3-1 record in 2025.
The sides will again play for the Michael Moore Trophy, named after the Storm’s inaugural football manager, who tragically passed away in Auckland 25 years ago.
Meanwhile, Warriors players and staff will honour their former team doctor John Mayhew in Melbourne.
Mayhew, who died aged 70 on Wednesday, served the club for 347 NRL games across 14 seasons from 2006 to 2019, with the highlight the Warriors reaching the NRL grand final in 2011.
Andrew Webster’s men will pay their respects by wearing black arm bands.
Club legend Shaun Johnson said this week he was ‘saddened and deeply gutted’ following news of Mayhew’s death.
‘Thoughts go out to his family. He was one of the greats, a really great human,’ the decorated halfback said.
‘John was someone who at some of my lowest points instilled a bit confidence and self belief that I would be bouncing back from whatever I was going through. I’ll never forget it.’
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .