Melbourne Cricket Ground To Host 2018 NRL State Of Origin Match

Melbourne is set to host next year's "landmark" stand-alone National Rugby League State of Origin Sunday "blockbuster," according to Gilbert Gardiner of the HERALD SUN. The NRL is "committed to returning the Origin juggernaut to Melbourne" in '18 and game two of the best-of-three series will be played on a Sunday night, "probably in June." Likely to take place during the Australian Football League bye rounds, "a crowd in excess of 90,000 would be expected to fill" the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Victorian Government will pay a seven-figure fee to secure the 2018 Queensland vs. New South Wales match. Game two is reportedly "Melbourne-bound." An NRL spokesperson said, "With regards to State of Origin, we are excited to be returning to Melbourne and we are working closely with the Victorian Government to finalise details over the coming months" (HERALD SUN, 3/13).