Canterbury Bulldogs fans fuming over Storm clash being shifted to Mackay

ONE versus two; NSW versus Victoria; Bellamy against Hasler - it  should be rugby league's game of the year.

Todd Greenberg and Des Hasler

IT should be rugby league's game of the year.

One versus two; NSW versus Victoria; Bellamy against Hasler.

Yet it seems Sunday's blockbuster between Melbourne and Canterbury is the match no one really wants.

Canterbury has elected against playing the game at ANZ Stadium, despite the prospect of drawing a crowd nearing 25,000.

The game was then to be taken to Adelaide but the deal fell through and will now be played at a 12,000 capacity ground at Mackay, in central Queensland.

Channel Nine has also snubbed this match, electing to telecast the game between Manly and Sydney Roosters from Allianz Stadium.

The decision to shift the match was made months ago with Canterbury obtaining a healthy commercial deal. But should the top two teams be playing in Mackay?

"It's important to understand the Bulldogs supporter base extends beyond the traditional boundaries within our local Canterbury-Bankstown district," said Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg.

"This game forms part of our annual interstate strategy where we take a home game away from Sydney.

"Research tells us we have in excess of 10 per cent of our supporter base living in Queensland.

"We now have over 1000 based Queensland members and many more who have joined up in Mackay over recent weeks.

"The game is already sold out and I'm sure the Mackay community will be very excited to see their local hero Ben Barba in action for the first time."

Canterbury fans on social media forums weren't happy with one writing: "This game would have drawn 40,000 at ANZ Stadium."

Greenberg said he understood some fans would have wanted this match played at Homebush.

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