CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
In what almost feels like a parallel universe, it seems that Melbourne are dominating the NRL, and the rugby league heartlands are dominating the AFL.
With the Melbourne Storm facing a battle-weary Sydney Roosters in the second last fixture of the year this Friday, it would be safe to say that the NRL’s highly successful Victorian powerhouse is looking very good for a Grand Final appearance.
This is great news for their tens of thousands of diehard members in both Melbourne and across Australia and New Zealand.
It’s also great news for Melbourne’s seemingly agnostic NRL spectators.
With not one Melbourne based AFL club making it through to the semi-finals in the Aussie Rules, the entire city will now be joining the rusted on Storm fans and cheering the only dog they have in any fight this year!
As Sydney and Brisbane steal all of the AFL’s oxygen with a State Of Origin style Aussie Rules Grand Final, the TV ratings this weekend will be interesting.
It is expected that many more TVs in Melbourne will be watching the NRL grand final next week.
This means there will be a lot more attention on NRL grand final than there would be otherwise. Not only is it looking like the Storm are going all the way, but the city has effectively tuned out of their favourite sports several weeks ago.
It also means there will be a lot of Melbourne AFL fans crossing over to the dark side, quite literally.
A rude shock is coming for Australia’s most European city, as they watch 80 minutes of full-contact rugby league, which is a sport that is very popular by people who don’t look like members of ABBA.
The high-octane theatrics that will be on display in a potential Penrith Vs Melbourne NRL Grand Final will be like something the AFL fans have never seen before. The different shapes, skillsets and ethnicities coming together to create a diverse game that is able to survive outside the conveyor belt of Victorian private schools.
While the idea of ‘multiculturalism’ might be a bit much for a fanbase that is unable to sit through an Aboriginal war dance without booing, there are some that are excited.
“I think it’s going to be a great cultural moment!” says one open-minded Melbournite, Roy FitzLyons-Pride (barrister, Toorak)
“I look forward to seeing the sporting prowess of, how do you say it, Polynesians?”
