Why Storm CEO is pushing for the MCG to host an NRL Grand Final

Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodski is pushing for the NRL to host a Grand Final at the MCG.

According to reports, Rodski has discussed his plan with the MCC to relocate the major event to Melbourne for a year, instead of its typical Sydney destination.

While the NRL Grand Final will be held in Sydney this year, the ARLC and NSW Government have only signed a one-year deal, meaning the venue be moved on a yearly basis if it suits.

Rodski thinks that the 100,000-seat stadium would be completely filled if the NRL hosted its decider at the venue and he thinks it’d be a huge spectacle in Melbourne one week after the AFL Grand Final.

“I think it is (fair dinkum), why not? The ground obviously holds more people than any other stadium in Australia,” Rodski told SEN Whateley.

“I think we could pack out the MCG, it would be a sellout crowd.

“We've had a view for a little while that home teams that have earned the right to host home finals should share more of the revenue from the NRL and it was the same in the AFL as well.

“I think that the opportunity to potentially bring a Grand Final to the MCG for the NRL a week later (than the AFL Grand Final) on a Sunday night would be a huge spectacle, and I don't see why there's any reason that we couldn't do it.

“Obviously, there'd be a whole range of different stakeholders that need to be involved in that.

“But I think it'd be a record crowd and a huge spectacle and the sporting capital of the world in Melbourne would put on an incredible show.”

While Rodski understands that his plan might ruffle some feathers in Sydney, he thinks there’s a real opportunity for the NRL to bring in more money and grow the game by hosting the event at the MCG.

He can’t see why the NRL wouldn’t at least consider the idea after showing they’re committed to exploring opportunities such as the Las Vegas season openers.

“It wouldn't go down too well, I wouldn’t have thought,” Rodski said.

“But there's an opportunity there. The NRL’s been very progressive with taking games to Vegas and its international schedule and looking at expansion into other states.

“So, I would say, ‘Why not?’, Peter V’landys and his Commission have shown that they're willing to explore opportunities.

“I think that this would be something that clearly wouldn't go down too well in Sydney. But at the same time, if there's a commercial opportunity. I can't see why the NRL wouldn't look at it.”

This year’s NRL Grand Final will be hosted at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Sunday, October 6.