As a Storm member who is coming up for the NRL Grand Final, it is a really costly trip to make.
By the time the Storm had made the NRL Grand Final on Saturday, the Swans AFL supporters had already had a 24 head start on MEL-SYD flights on Sunday morning, meaning Sunday flights were over $400 per person just to get to Sydney.
Due to Sydney Airport having such an early curfew, even if I left straight after the game I would be unable to get onto a flight on Sunday night and have to stay in Sydney on Sunday night. Accomodation for the night for two people $300+ due to NSW/QLD long weekend. Then trying to fly home on Monday early enough to still do a half day of work (impossible to get from SYD-MEL in time for a full day) cost another $200 pp.
Add tickets in the Storm fans area at $198 each.
$400x2
+$300
+$200x2
$198x2
=$1496 for two people to get to the game and that's before you include any food, Sydney airport PT charges, airport parking, etc for one days entertainment.
Compare that to a Sharks supporter who pays $198 each for a ticket that gives them free PT from the Shire.
Not really a fair comparison is it?