Dear Storm Members and Fans,
We all continue to be challenged by the impacts of COVID.
For those of us in Victoria heading into a second week of lockdown, home schooling and working from home has become an all too familiar part of our lives.
It is no less challenging, of course, and we wish you all the best as you navigate your way through the next few days, hoping we can return to some form of normality sooner rather than later.
We feel too for our members who are in lockdown across borders and facing the prospect of an even longer period of time under restrictions.
While we face our own personal challenges, Craig and the team have again shown incredible resilience and reminded us why we love to be part of the Melbourne Storm.
There was no better example of this than on the weekend when our team was relocated to Queensland with only hours to pack before fronting up against the Knights a couple of days later.
To then break yet another NRL record in scoring the most points after 17 games and securing an 11th straight finals appearance is further proof of the character of this team.
I know you were all hoping to return to AAMI Park with us against the Panthers next week too. But given the lockdown and restrictions that will be in place, this unfortunately isn’t possible.
We want to be back in Melbourne, we want to be back playing at our home at AAMI Park and we want to be playing in front of our loyal and passionate members and fans.
We have discussed this with the NRL and they understand our desire to return home when it is safe and the restrictions allow us to do so.
The ongoing restrictions across the country means it is likely we will be forced to remain in QLD longer than we had hoped.
We are now in the hands of the NRL and government authorities who will determine where we will be playing our matches in the short term, but rest assured, we are doing everything we can to return Melbourne as soon as possible.
We are as frustrated as you are, we are feeling for our members, and while we can’t be playing at home, we hope we can continue to represent the Big V and Melbourne Storm with pride.
Being a Storm fan means a lot of different things to different people. It’s the camaraderie of being part of the Purple Army, the excitement of turning up each week to cheer on Munny, Paps, Foxx or the Cheese.
It’s riding the many highs and lows across the season and being able to turn up to school or work on Monday saying, our boys had another great game.
It’s sharing a beer or pie in the stands at AAMI Park or at the pub down Swan Street pre-game or post game, or even both.
It’s putting on your favourite Storm jersey and yelling as loud as you can at home with your own Storm Family.
Some of this has been taken away from us over the last two seasons but what you can’t take away, is the pride we have in every player, coach and staff member who has worked tirelessly to make this Club the greatest and most successful in the country under the most challenging circumstances.
We are proud of them too and we hope you can continue showing your support, in any way, to help us stay strong.
Our staff will always be available to take your call if you are finding it difficult to maintain your membership or if you want to discuss the many options for you to maintain your support.
COVID has presented many challenges in the last 18 months. Let’s hope we can all return to AAMI Park soon and get back to enjoying the football as only the Purple Army knows.
Thank you again for your support. Stay safe and well.
We miss you and hope to see you at the football soon.
Justin Rodski
