Ribot's call to arms

Melbourne Storm executive director John Ribot has urged the Melbourne public to get behind the Storm as Victoria?s other team in the finals alongside Collingwood in the AFL.

With the Storm set for a semi final showdown against the Bulldogs this Sunday, Ribot believes the football-hungry Melbourne public should get behind the club as it makes a tilt at the NRL premiership.

?We?d like to think that the Melbourne public would tune in and watch their other Victorian team compete in the finals this weekend,? Ribot said.

?There are many Victorians out there keen to follow football at this time of the year but can?t face the prospect of supporting Collingwood, with that being the case we are urging those football fans to get behind the Storm.

?This weekend we are taking on the best of New South Wales and we know there will be many proud Victorians supporting Melbourne Storm in the build up to Sunday?s match.?

Ribot?s call to arms follows the news that this Sunday?s final between the Storm and the Bulldogs will now be broadcast live into Melbourne on Channel Nine at 3.00pm.

The Storm?s second final ? to be played at Aussie Stadium in Sydney ? was originally scheduled for broadcast on delay into Melbourne at 1.05am on Monday morning.

The change in scheduling means Melbourne will now have live coverage of the Storm/Bulldogs clash one hour before Sydney?s broadcast starts at 4.00pm.

It also means Storm fans will be able to watch the match live after having to wait until 11.55pm last Friday night for a delayed coverage of the Storm?s first final against the Raiders in Canberra.

?We applaud Channel Nine for broadcasting Sunday?s final live into Melbourne,? Ribot added.

?It provides the perfect opportunity for those people in Melbourne to watch the Storm live instead of waiting for a delayed coverage.?

Meanwhile the NRL has announced that all Storm members wishing to purchase tickets to Sunday?s final will receive a 20 per cent discount on pre-purchased tickets with one membership holder eligible to purchase up to four finals tickets.

For further information contact:

James Avery: Phone (03) 9421 3222 Mobile: 0411 623 024 javery@melbournestorm.com.au