Getting jump on AFL’s a perfect Storm for Bellamy

MELBOURNE Storm coach Craig Bellamy hopes having the NRL back before the AFL will help grow the game in Victoria and across the globe.

The NRL will return tonight to take centre stage before a sport-starved public.

Storm face Canberra at AAMI Park on Saturday night in what looms as the club’s best opportunity to attract Victorian viewers with the AFL still two weeks away.

“It is a great way to grow it everywhere,” Bellamy said.

“Overseas there’s not too many competitions happening … so hopefully we can get a bit of global exposure.

“I think that’s why they’ve put a few real blockbuster games on the first few rounds.

“Hopefully (Victorians) put on the TV and watch us in the first few rounds.”

Even though they’ll be playing in front of an empty AAMI Park, Storm will be determined to fire against a team that troubled them last season.

Canberra beat Melbourne twice last season, including in a qualifying final at AAMI Park on the way to a grand final.

But Storm forward Dale Finucane is not giving much credence to those results.

“Watching the first two rounds is the most relevant for us to know what they do,” he said.

Storm players have prepared under tight restrictions.

“This period has obviously been really distorted but … we’re excited to get in and play footy again,” Finucane said.