Melbourne Storm skipper Christian Welch admits even he could be “shocked” if the NRL’s subsequent enlargement staff is predicated out of Victoria.
It comes after ARL fee chairman Peter V’landys confirmed that the NRL will “100 per cent” look into the choice in an interview with News Corpon Tuesday.
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“Absolutely, 100 per cent. You would have to be mad not to look at it,” V’landys stated to the publication.
“The reason why we would never rule it out is because one thing the The Dolphins have proven to us is people love cross-town rivalries.
“The fabric of rugby league is built on tribalism and rivalry. That’s why we can’t rule out.”
V’landys additionally pointed in direction of the truth that rugby league’s junior base in Victoria has “expanded considerably” as one more reason to help a possible second staff within the state.
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Melbourne ahead Welch was quizzed in regards to the potential improvement on radio on Tuesday afternoon and stated he was stunned the NRL might look to Victoria for its 18th staff.
“I hadn’t heard that,” he stated on SEN 1116’s ‘The Run Home with Andy & Gazey.
“Look, if any sporting city could do it Melbourne could, but I’d be thinking Western Australia or a second team in New Zealand.
“They’ve nailed it with the Dolphins, getting a strong team in there but it’s got to be expansion not necessarily consolidation I would think for the NRL but it’s great to see they’re thinking about that.”
Welch added that he thinks an 18th staff in Victoria “would work” but in addition questioned whether or not it might take away from what makes the Storm such a profitable model.
“I think it would work,” Welch stated.
“But I think one of the special things about being the Melbourne Storm, it unifies the city.
“There’s different AFL clubs here, if you’re a Collingwood fan you shouldn’t like the other fans, but I think a lot of AFL people, they also support the Storm because it’s about Melbourne and one team in the city.
“I think that’s why the Storm works well. We obviously play second fiddle to the AFL clubs but I think a lot of the AFL people go, ‘Oh yeah, I also go for the Storm as well’. I’d be surprised, but the rivalry could work, it’s great to have some of that stuff but I’d be shocked to be honest if that happened.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au