Rugby league fans in Melbourne’s south-east will be treated to two special Melbourne Storm events, including an NRL pre-season trial match, next month.
Storm has again partnered with the City of Casey to stage the trial against the NZ Warriors at Casey Fields on Saturday, February 19 (4pm kickoff) – the second time in three years that Craig Bellamy’s squad has played at the venue.
It will be one of two matches Storm will play in Victoria prior to the NRL season opener, with Ballarat to host Melbourne against Newcastle at Mars Stadium on Sunday, February 27 (5.45pm).
Tickets for both matches will go on sale later this month with discounts available for 2022 Storm members.
Special Casey and Ballarat membership packages, including a gameday ticket, will also be on sale.
As a bonus for Storm members and supporters in the south-east, Storm’s full NRL squad will be on show at an open training session at Casey Warriors rugby league ground on Saturday, February 5 (10am).
Storm CEO Justin Rodski said the club was keen to return to Casey following a huge turnout for the 2020 pre-season match against the North Queensland Cowboys.
“The response and excitement the game created showed just how much interest there is in Storm and rugby league in general in that part of greater Melbourne so we’re delighted to get the chance to come back to Casey for the second time,” Rodski said.
“The south-east is a real stronghold for rugby league with our club and the Warriors being clearly the two most popular teams.
“We expect to again go very close to reaching the capacity which has been set at 8000 for this game with Covid-19 protocols in place.
“I know our players are very much looking forward to both the trial and the open training session where our members and fans will see first hand how they’re preparing for round one and our return to AAMI Park on March 22.”
There are seven local rugby league clubs in Melbourne’s south-east:
- Casey Warriors (City of Casey)
- Doveton Steelers (City of Casey)
- Eastern Raptors (City of Knox)
- Frankston Raiders (Frankston City)
- Pakenham Eels (Cardinia Shire)
- South Eastern Titans (Greater Dandenong)
- Waverley Oakleigh Panthers (City of Monash)
Their best players feed through to the Victorian Thunderbolts SG Ball squad who will play St George Dragons in the curtain-raiser at Casey Fields, kicking off at 2pm.
The Thunderbolts will also play Cronulla at Mars Stadium on February 27 at 3pm.
