Bromwich says NRL boos better than silence

MELBOURNE have never enjoyed a warm NRL welcome from Cronulla crowds but they’d take boos over silence at this point.

The Storm will head to Sydney and back on their NRL charter flight on Saturday for their round-two clash with the Sharks at Jubilee Oval.

With the game their first to be played in an empty stadium due to the coronavirus, Storm prop Jesse Bromwich said he’d actually miss the fan hostility.

The clubs have had fierce rivalry which increased after their 2016 grand final decider, with a series of scuffles in recent encounters.

In their 2018 round-four clash there were a record 33 penalties, with Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith sinbinned for the first time.

“They like to come out against us and remind us of what happened a few years ago,” Bromwich said of the Sharks’ title win.

“Having the fans there, even if they are on the other side, they get you going and they’re the reason why you play this game.

“Even though they’re out there giving us hell, the crowds fire you up and get you going. “It’s going to be a weird one; will feel different hearing it yourself screaming and hearing the other team echoing through the stadium.”

Bromwich said he wanted to back up their round-one win over Manly and felt the club and the NRL were doing their best to keep the players safe.

He was happy the Melbourne players could avoid commercial flights, airports and hotels and instead use charter flights to get them in and out on game day.

The former Kiwi captain said he had spoken to his family about the possibility of being away for a prolonged time should the outbreak worsen. With young children, he said it would be tough to temporarily relocate to complete games.

“We are open to talking about it but for myself and all the other boys with families, it’s going to be tougher on us,” Bromwich said.