Sydney put to shame as Melbourne goes NRL mad as Storm-Eels clash nears sellout

AFL-MAD Melbourne is poised to slap down Sydney’s proud standing as the home of rugby league this weekend, with a near sellout crowd at AAMI Park.

AFL-mad Melbourne is poised to slap down Sydney’s proud standing as the home of rugby league this weekend.

Saturday afternoon’s qualifying final between the Storm and Parramatta at AAMI Park is on track to draw a larger crowd than any of the three finals played in Sydney.

While Friday night’s clash between the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos is expected to be the biggest crowd puller of the three games in the Harbour City, lifeguards at threatened to close Bondi Beach to instead go and patrol Allianz Stadium.

The biggest worry, though would be Sydney failing to outdraw a crowd in Bleak City.

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Storm fans are expected to turn out in force. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)

More than 1000 Parramatta supporters are booked to travel south as officials brace for a up to 24,000 fans to descend on AAMI Park, despite the temperature forecast to reach a maximum of just 13 degrees.

Conversely, the crowds for the three finals at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium may each struggle to exceed 20,000.

The Sydney Roosters play Brisbane there on Friday night, Manly will Penrith on Saturday evening before reigning premiers Cronulla take on North Queensland on Sunday afternoon.

The excuses will come thick and fast — North Queensland and Brisbane won’t bring big numbers to Sydney, the Roosters have a low supporter base, Manly fans traditionally don’t travel past the Spit Bridge, Penrith is 55km from Allianz and Cronulla 25km away.

But the idea of being shown up by Melbourne when it comes to rugby league should be enough to get Sydney fans off their backsides and out supporting their teams.

Bondi lifeguards doing their bit to promote the Roosters clash. Photo: Grant Trouville

A crowd of 21,233 watched Melbourne’s week-one finals victory over North Queensland last year and presale ticket predictions for this Saturday are exceeding that.

“The indications are it might go beyond 21,000 which is fantastic,” Melbourne football manager Frank Ponissi said.

“We’re expecting a fair few Parra supporters to come down. There is some excitement about them. If we can get to 23,000, 24,000, we won’t be far off a sellout. It will be great.”

NRL chief commercial officer, Andrew Abdo, offered high praise for Melbourne fans.

“The response from the Melbourne public has been fantastic and with Cameron Smith playing his record-breaking 356th match, it should be a very special occasion,” he said.

“We’re still encouraged by the initial sales for the Sydney matches and I’m sure supporters from all teams will respond.

“We have two Sydney teams in an elimination final on Saturday night as well as a rematch of the grand final qualifier last year between the Sharks and Cowboys on Sunday.”

Penrith fans have bought 65 per cent of tickets for clash with Manly, which is supposed to be a Sea Eagles home game.

And, for a period on Monday, more Parramatta members purchased seats for the Storm game than Sea Eagles fans had for the Allianz Stadium match.

However, Manly hooker Api Koroisau is adamant his club’s fans will travel from Sydney’s northern beaches to Moore Park.

“I’m sure our fans will get up for the occasion,” he said. “It is a semi-final and I think they’ll make the trip out there.

“We’ve had two good wins at Allianz this year. The boys are quite excited to go back there and get another one.”