National Rugby League club Melbourne Storm on Monday found itself at the center of a "three-way tug of war" for its preliminary final after the Australian Football League's spiritual homes, Etihad Stadium and the MCG, "stepped up attempts to hijack the game," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. Officials from Etihad and the MCG contacted the NRL "offering their services." Both grounds are free because the AFL's preliminary finals will be played in Perth. However, despite the "prospect of thousands of fans being locked out of AAMI Stadium," the NRL insisted it had "no plans to move the match from Melbourne's regular season home ground." An NRL spokesperson said, "AAMI Park is tailor-made for rugby league and the Storm have already indicated their members and fans would expect the match to be played at their year-round home ground." AAMI Park holds "only 30,000," Etihad Stadium seats more than 50,000 and the MCG upwards of 100,000. Despite being the "only show in town, it is highly unlikely the Storm would attract enough spectators to warrant a switch to the MCG." However, the club could "realistically lure enough spectators to warrant moving the game to Etihad Stadium." Even so, Storm CEO Dave Donaghy made it clear the club had "no desire to see the game moved, meaning the MCG and Etihad are fighting a losing battle to poach the match." He said, "This is our home" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 9/15).
