Storm's Promo Wheels Turning <p>

Illawarra Mercury

Monday September 20, 1999

Robbie Ross, born in Griffith, is the closest Melbourne has to a home-grown player.

But the National Rugby League is set to promote next Sunday's grand final along State of Origin lines - the Storm's presence a massive boost for the code in Victoria.

As the enormity of Melbourne's achievement - to be within just one win of a premiership in only the club's second season - began to sink in following Saturday night's 18-16 semifinal win over Parramatta, the Storm management and playing staff were thinking of the week ahead.

While not expecting to challenge Saturday's AFL grand final for headlines in Melbourne, Storm chief executive Chris Johns was meeting yesterday with airline representatives to make arrangements for a sudden influx of fans from the southern capital to Stadium Australia.

A deal involving a jersey sponsor could also be finalised this week, while Melbourne executive director John Ribot said the unprecedented success would flow through to grass-roots level.

``I didn't think there was any way we could come so far so soon," Ribot said. ``In my office I still have a clipping where we're tipped to finish at the bottom of the ladder last year.

``I know it sounds corny but this will be a massive shot in the arm not just for the club but the entire game of rugby league in Victoria."

The proof of the impact Melbourne has already made in less than two years was evident on Saturday - at the MCG during Carlton's epic AFL semifinal win over Essendon when a Blues fan held up a Storm jersey in triumph.

``It's a huge boost for us down in Melbourne," said skipper Glenn Lazarus, an ardent Carlton supporter.

``There's still a lot of people in Melbourne who don't like to admit that they're Storm supporters, but I just feel that this will bring those people out of the woodwork and hopefully they'll follow us anywhere now.

``We'll enjoy the week. For a lot of people it hasn't really sunk in yet, but we're in the grand final and that's a wonderful achievement after two seasons."

While 300 fans turned up to greet the team on its arrival yesterday at Melbourne airport, the Storm dressing room contained some prominent supporters after the match, Queensland Origin coach Mark Murray, Canberra chief executive Kevin Neil and former coaching great Jack Gibson joining veteran Penrith international Mark Geyer.

``I've lived through two grand finals with Mark in 1990 and 1991 and that was a pretty emotional time with the highs and lows," said Geyer's younger brother Matt, the Melbourne five-eighth.

``Now that I'm here myself I really want to experience the high because I know it's a lot better than the low."