Storm set for Dragons blockbuster

Melbourne head coach Craig Bellamy has called on all Victorian sports fans to get behind his team in their top of the table clash against St George-Illawarra on Friday.

With both teams unbeaten in their opening three games of the season, most rugby league experts have installed the Storm and Dragons as premiership favourites, with the winner of this game to assume outright favouritism.

Bellamy, who will face-off with his former mentor Wayne Bennett, has issued a call to arms for the huge top of the table clash – also the Storm’s first game in Melbourne this year.

“We’re hoping to get a big crowd there, there’s no other sporting events on in Melbourne so a big turnout would be great,” said Bellamy.

“It’s our first game in Melbourne for the 2010 season, we’re unfurling the 2009 premiership flag and it would be a great sight to see as much purple in the crowd as we can.

“Good Friday has always been a day for families to do things together, and given the fact kids under-15 get in free with a paying adult, it’s a really good opportunity for everyone to come and watch us play.”

The Melbourne Storm will be supporting the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal on the day by providing the opportunity for spectators to make a contribution, while the Club will also make a donation at the end of the game.

“In conjunction with the Royal Children’s Hospital we’re hoping to raise some money for those guys as well,” said Bellamy

“It’s a great cause steeped in tradition here in Melbourne, and it should be a really good game so there’s plenty of good reasons for everyone to get along and watch.”