In the NRL, it is the Victorian interlopers challenging NSW traditions just as the AFL side from Sydney is doing to those accustomed to Victorian supremacy in Aussie Rules football.
The Melbourne Storm has qualified for the opportunity to secure its second NRL premiership in five years by edging the Canberra Raiders 14 – 12 in the preliminary final Saturday night.
Storm veteran Cooper Cronk was heard to tell the 11 players on the Melbourne Storm who have never had the benefit of experiencing the week leading up to the NRL Grand Final to embrace the lead up for the unique, perhaps singular, moment that it represents.
Cronk, which by the way, might be the greatest name ever had by a rugby player since the days of the cavemen, will be playing in his sixth Grand Final. He made his first Grand Final appearance in 2006.
The Storm has the Cronulla Sharks as their antagonists for the 2016 NRL Grand Final on October 2, a Sunday evening affair.
There was also talk of savouring the perhaps one-off moment from Storm coach Craig Bellamy. He emphasised that his side must and will prepare well to meet the Sharks.
The Sharkies would like to add a premiership to two minors and obliterate the taste of wood in their mouths from 2014.
