Post by sportsmad on Jun 10, 2009 22:08:23 GMT 10
a good news article:
Rugby league fans are set to send a massive message about the desire to have the NRL back in WA, with an anticipated crowd of 15,000 expected for Saturday night's clash between the Melbourne Storm and South Sydney at Member's Equity Stadium.
Numerous scandals have hammered the code in recent weeks, with Cronulla embroiled in group sex allegations, a positive drugs test to player Reni Maitua and chief executive Tony Zappia stood down on over his treatment of a female employee.
But despite the troubles in the east, fans in the west are preparing to vote with their feet this weekend, with 10,000 tickets already sold for the Storm vs Rabbitohs clash and another 5,000 expected to show on the night.
This weekend's staging of a full-blown NRL fixture is seen as a massive step in the plans to re-establish a WA team in the elite national competition by 2012 - and WA Reds spokesman Richard Campbell said a large crowd was vital.
"The message is going to go out that WA and Perth will support rugby league here - and it is going to be heard loud and clear by the people who matter," said Campbell.
Saturday's clash will be the next step after a near 10,000 crowd watched Wayne Bennett's St George side in pre-season - a trip that prompted the legendary coach to saying the groundwork was all but done for the NRL to return to WA.
The Rabbitohs arrive in Perth tomorrow, with former Storm talisman Michael Crocker lining up against his former side - and the club scotching rumours Australia's swine flu infection could see the match postponed.
"I have spoken to the NRL, Brian Waldron at the Melbourne Storm and Members Equity Stadium, and this Saturday’s game will definitely be going ahead,” South Sydney CEO Shane Richardson said.
"There have been rumours doing the rounds today that the game will be called off but I can guarantee this is not the case.
"Those people spreading these rumours obviously don’t have the best interests of South Sydney or the game of Rugby League at heart."
Melbourne have named an unchanged side after smashing Brisbane 48-4 last weekend to leave it one point off top spot - although Storm coach Craig Bellamy admitted this weekend's would be a journey into the unknown for his side.
"It is obviously something very different, a lot of the guys have not been to Perth before a - a fair few have not been there," Bellamy said.
"Certainly I don’t think any of them have played there, looking forward to the experience, and we need to be consistent with our form."
Numerous scandals have hammered the code in recent weeks, with Cronulla embroiled in group sex allegations, a positive drugs test to player Reni Maitua and chief executive Tony Zappia stood down on over his treatment of a female employee.
But despite the troubles in the east, fans in the west are preparing to vote with their feet this weekend, with 10,000 tickets already sold for the Storm vs Rabbitohs clash and another 5,000 expected to show on the night.
This weekend's staging of a full-blown NRL fixture is seen as a massive step in the plans to re-establish a WA team in the elite national competition by 2012 - and WA Reds spokesman Richard Campbell said a large crowd was vital.
"The message is going to go out that WA and Perth will support rugby league here - and it is going to be heard loud and clear by the people who matter," said Campbell.
Saturday's clash will be the next step after a near 10,000 crowd watched Wayne Bennett's St George side in pre-season - a trip that prompted the legendary coach to saying the groundwork was all but done for the NRL to return to WA.
The Rabbitohs arrive in Perth tomorrow, with former Storm talisman Michael Crocker lining up against his former side - and the club scotching rumours Australia's swine flu infection could see the match postponed.
"I have spoken to the NRL, Brian Waldron at the Melbourne Storm and Members Equity Stadium, and this Saturday’s game will definitely be going ahead,” South Sydney CEO Shane Richardson said.
"There have been rumours doing the rounds today that the game will be called off but I can guarantee this is not the case.
"Those people spreading these rumours obviously don’t have the best interests of South Sydney or the game of Rugby League at heart."
Melbourne have named an unchanged side after smashing Brisbane 48-4 last weekend to leave it one point off top spot - although Storm coach Craig Bellamy admitted this weekend's would be a journey into the unknown for his side.
"It is obviously something very different, a lot of the guys have not been to Perth before a - a fair few have not been there," Bellamy said.
"Certainly I don’t think any of them have played there, looking forward to the experience, and we need to be consistent with our form."
