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After upsetting the Roosters last weekend, the Melbourne Storm surprisingly find themselves with a week off and a home preliminary final.
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>> ROOSTERS V BULLDOGS PREVIEW
>> COWBOYS V SHARKS PREVIEW
>> EXPERT TIPS
>> HOW TO WATCH NRL FINALS
While the rest is no doubt welcome, the prospect of playing the penultimate game of the season at AAMI Park would be even more so.
The Storm’s record at AAMI is impressive to say the least. 54 wins and a draw from 74 games giving them a winning percentage of 72.9. That is far better than their overall winning rate of 62.7 per cent.
So why would they even consider a change of venues?
Because due to both Western Australian teams hosting AFL preliminary finals on the same weekend, the Storm will be the biggest live game in Australia’s sporting capital, and the MCG is free.
Although AAMI Park is far more suited to league than the MCG, and Melbourne would be loath to give up such a formidable home ground advantage, the boutique stadium only has a capacity of 30,000, while the MCG holds over 90,000.
While it is doubtful they would come close to filling the ground, a crowd of 60,000 to 70,000 would be easily achievable on a weekend where the city is geared up for finals, and no place to go except the television.
Such a rise in numbers at the game would bring in an unexpected windfall for the club as revenue from ticket sales would also almost double. At an average of $40 a ticket the Storm could earn an extra $1.2 million.
There would of course be many obstacles to overcome to play the game at the MCG, particularly given the short notice. But it could be done.
However first the Storm would have to ask themselves if they were willing to give up such an imposing home ground advantage for the sake of a few extra dollars.
Given their record of two wins from two games at the MCG actually surpasses their impressive record at AAMI Park, it definitely may be worth looking at.
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