Storm want dome for 'Dogs

[Timmah]

Storm wants Dome for Dogs
By Dave Donaghy

April 19, 2007

MELBOURNE is in the final stages of negotiations with Telstra Dome management to shift its NRL round-nine fixture against the Bulldogs from Olympic Park.

Storm officials remained tight-lipped last night, but a deal between the parties may be reached as early as today.

Melbourne, unbeaten after five rounds, faces the Bulldogs on May 14.

If given the go-ahead, the game will be the fourth fixture in as many days at the stadium, with three AFL games scheduled for the weekend.

Such a move will give Storm an opportunity to gauge its popularity within the Victorian sporting landscape.

Olympic Park has a capacity of 18,000 but officials want to cash in on the club's flawless start to the season and record membership.

Melbourne has not played at Telstra Dome since 2001.

Asked this week if Storm officials had considered a venue switch for big games this season, chief executive Brian Waldron said: "Our first responsibility is to our tenant. But if there was a need to take (a blockbuster) to the Dome and we thought we would generate the support, then we would."

Telstra Dome hosted 54,833 fans at last year's State of Origin decider.

Storm struggled to attract crowds in 2001 when it left Olympic Park for the Dome.

The club drew its biggest crowd that year, 15,470, was when it hosted Brisbane, with the club's record of 23,239 set on March 3, 2000, against St George-Illawarra at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

If the Bulldogs clash is a crowd-pulling success, Melbourne may also switch its round-15 fixture against the Dragons to Telstra Dome.

A lack of AFL matches in Melbourne that weekend, the second weekend of the split round, would open the door for Storm.

Melbourne won 12 of 13 games at Olympic Park last year and is unbeaten there in two games this season.

Source: http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,21582546-23214,00.html
Courtesy Herald Sun.

 

[NK Arsenal]

No point moving it, they win a lot at Olympic Park and they don't get much over 18k which is what OP holds

 

[joshreading]

I think that is just the point - move the biggest games to the Dome which has the big game attraction. The Swans do it with Telstra and you would have to say it works for them. Maybe it will work for the storm - the only catch really being the oval or rectangular potential of the ground.

 

[Collingwood Storm]

No point moving it, they win a lot at Olympic Park and they don't get much over 18k which is what OP holds

they never got over 18k when playing at docklands when it was colonial stadium

i think it is a stupid idea to move this game inparticular

melbourne fans stay away from attending AFL games when they have been trialed on Monday Nights...if they move the game im tipping they will get 10-12k

if the storm wants to move a game or 2 to the dome then there should have been a season opener against the Broncos on the friday night 2 weeks before the AFL season started

 

[Ice777]

I say keep it where it is. From what opinions i've heard and read, the majority of Storm supporters said leave it at OP as well. I can see where the club is coming from and IMO think it would draw a few more in to watch the game, but i don't think it'd be anywhere near enough to justify a move to the Dome. Besides, why negate the massive home ground advantage we enjoy at OP? Give the Dogs nuthin!!!

 

[Dani]

They only way i would be happy with this move is if the seats are moved in.

 

[Collingwood Storm]

They only way i would be happy with this move is if the seats are moved it.

i doubt it...there is AFL @ the dome on the friday, saturday and sunday before the storm vs dogs on the monday

not to sure what condition the ground will be in

 

[Timmah]

Doesn't matter, we'll kick your sore asses anyway ;-)

 

[ouwet]

PLEASE MOVE IT... I have never been Telstra Dome and would LOVE to go (Bought my tickets to Melbourne for that weekend )... Olympic Park is a hole!

 

[Timmah]

I'm planning to organise a trip down now I think, I have the Sunday off and have some days owing...

 

[Mr. Fahrenheit]

is the telstra dome close to the CBD? maybe it can attract an 'afterwork' crowd?

 

[aarondoyle]

If this works, which I pray to god it does, this could be a stroke of absolute genius...

 

[ouwet]

is the telstra dome close to the CBD? maybe it can attract an 'afterwork' crowd?

Yeah it's heaps more convienet for Melbourians to go after work (remember it is a Monday night game).

 

[sheet_ed]

The Dome SUCKS!!

You are so far away from the game you might as well watch it on TV. And the surface is all sand a slippery sh"t. The Dome would suit the Doggies, not the Storm.

I hated it when we were ther 2000 and couldn't wait to get back to OP.

I pay good money for reserved seats in OP why the hell would I want to go to the Dome and sit somewhere you only get 1/1000th of the atmosphere.

 

[ouwet]

I'm planning to organise a trip down now I think, I have the Sunday off and have some days owing...

Mate we should organise to all seat in the same bay (If at the Dome) or the same Bench (If at Olympic:lol: )... Hopefully a few hundred Bulldog supporters make the trek.

 

[Dani]

Yeah it's heaps more convienet for Melbourians to go after work (remember it is a Monday night game).

It's not really. They're both as convenient as each other.

 

[sheet_ed]

Article from Melbourne Storm

http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/default.asp?sec=1&ssec=1

A message from Storm CEO Brian Waldron
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Storm CEO Brian Waldron

I just wanted to write to you all in response to an article in today's Herald Sun concerning the Round 9 Monday night clash against the Bulldogs.

We have not as yet come to any arrangement with Telstra Dome to move the Round 9 clash to the venue. We have however had initial discussions with them regarding the possibility of this occurring.

This has come about because of the likely unavailability of Olympic Park on that evening.

This said, we believe any game against the Bulldogs to be a blockbuster and what better way to showcase one of the games of the season than by taking it to a venue with a greater capacity than 18,000.

We're also mindful of new NRL rules pertaining to finals that require any home final after the first round to be played at a venue with a greater capacity than 25,000.

Of course, should we finalise such an arrangement with Telstra Dome, the needs of our members, and our commercial and corporate partners, will be priority. This said, we would envisage working closely with all key stakeholders to ensure the transition for such an event was seamless and indeed as enjoyable as possible for everyone.

I apologise if today's article caused anyone any concern. Rest assured if we have any further updates on the matter we will communicate it with our key stakeholders first and foremost.

 

[Schillaci]

is the telstra dome close to the CBD? maybe it can attract an 'afterwork' crowd?

its on the edge of the cbd. the city circle tram will get u there for free from the heart of the cbd.

 

[ouwet]

It's not really. They're both as convenient as each other.

Geez i wasn't even close with 'Convenient' LOL:lol: ...

Mate it is a bit more convenient than Olympic Park.

 

[Dani]

Why?
They're both close to public transport and both have sh*t all parking.