Storm in waiting game for venues

THE Melbourne Storm is still waiting for confirmation on where two blockbuster home fixtures will be played in 2023 in what shapes to be a far more favourable draw than this season.

Following their bye in round 13, the Storm travelled to Sydney six times, flew out to New Zealand to play the Warriors and also took on the Broncos in Brisbane, with just four of their final 12 regular season matches played in Melbourne.

The Storm lost four of those games in Sydney and never recovered from back-to-back epic battles against heavyweights the Roosters and Eels in the final two rounds before they were eliminated by the Raiders the following week.

In that same stretch, premiers Penrith had one game in the ACT and two more in Queensland, although one of those was in the final round when they rested virtually their entire team for the trip to Townsville.

The Storm showed in 2020 just how important stability can be when they made camp during bubble life in Queensland and went on to win the premiership.

It’s why chief executive Justin Rodski campaigned hard with the NRL for a more balanced draw next season, with the Storm to play six matches in Melbourne following their round 13 bye, with another week off in round 19.

The round 18 clash against Penrith and the match against Parramatta in round 22 remain up in the air, with AAMI Park out of action because of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Storm know where they’d like the games to be played, but an answer might not come until next year.

“Our priority (is) to play those games under the roof at Marvel Stadium,” Rodski said.

If it’s not at Marvel, then the Storm could play at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium, Ikon Park or even the MCG.