‘Break every record’: Storm capitalise on Melbourne’s AFL wipeout

Melbourne chair and owner Matt Tripp believes an NRL storm will wipe through the city to “break every record” as the state prepares to host an all-interstate showdown in the AFL grand final.

Melbourne chair and owner Matt Tripp has called on Victorian sports fans to channel their frustration into supporting the Storm on Friday night as the state prepares to host an all-interstate showdown in the AFL grand final this weekend.

The Storm play host to the Sydney Roosters in their grand final qualifier at AAMI Park – less than 24 hours before the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions meet in the AFL finale at the neighbouring MCG.

While the Swans and Lions can lay claim to some fans in Victoria thanks to their ties to South Melbourne and Fitzroy, the vast majority of AFL supporters in Victoria have been sidelined by the northern invaders.

That’s where the Storm enters the equation. Melbourne are riding high after another season where they laid claim to the minor premiership and they are now one win away from another grand final appearance, only the Roosters standing in their way.

The Storm will head into the game as heavy favourites, having won 10 or their past 11 games against the Roosters, and Tripp has urged Victorians to jump on the bandwagon as they carry the state’s hopes of sporting supremacy on their shoulders.

“It couldn’t have landed any better for us – a public holiday in Melbourne with no Victorian teams in the AFL grand final,” Tripp said.

Ryan Papenhuyzen. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“We would really hope we get the support of all Victorians after the brand of footy we have played this year. Two wins clear on top of the table and to win the way they did in week one of the final – I think things are set up really well to put up a good showing on Friday night and make all Victorians proud.

“The awareness Victorians have of rugby league and the Melbourne Storm off the back of it, the support has gone up in multiples in recent years.

“I genuinely think this Friday night we will break every record we have seen in term of viewership in rugby league, as we should – it is a preliminary final against the Roosters, an arch rival.

“It doesn’t get any bigger. The entire club are aware of that and they want to put their best foot forward. Victorians don’t have a vested interest in the AFL grand final – there are some – but they are few and far between.

“The fact is all Victorians love sport – they are pretty parochial when they want to get behind sport. The momentum the Storm have built over 2024, it is unlike any other year.

Storm fans at Gosch's Paddock. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Craig Bellamy welcomes fans. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“We’re never going to get a better opportunity than a public holiday on AFL grand final eve. We’ll flip them to rugby league for a day.

“It’s the hottest ticket in town. They’ll be hanging from the rafters.”

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said he was expecting Melbourne fans to turn up in droves on Friday night given the way the Storm have performed this season.

The NRL have done their bit – adult tickets are less than $40 and family tickets start at just over $100.

“The Storm are the reigning minor premiers and have had a fantastic season,” Abdo said.

“We are expecting a sellout this Friday evening as the Storm fans show their support for the club and there will no doubt be plenty of Roosters fans travelling down for what will be an epic preliminary final.”

Originally published as ‘Break every record’: Storm capitalise on Melbourne’s AFL wipeout