The Storm has scored 148 points and only conceded 26 in their last four games tiga and they'll want to avenge last year's embarrassment.
Pretty simple really, the Storm are embarrasing the Northern states and anyone who does not follow them wants them to lose. Them all getting on the Manly wagon last year proved that.
I don't really think that is the case. It is great for the sport to have a team in Melbourne doing well and up here in QLD 90% of people will be barracking for the Storm due to Smith, Inglis, Slater, Cronk and Johnson. Just need Brett White to run into a goalpost
Probably not in Qld but in Sydney some traditional RL followers see the Storm as a creation from the Super League war that came at the expense of founding clubs and the pain that caused. Having the "Mexicans" beat them at their sport would tick them off as well lol.
In 2007, Parramatta CEO Denis Fitzgerald said that rugby league should not be promoted in Melbourne. That was just before the Storm ran over Parra in the finals onwards to the premiership. History to repeat?!
Hence the reason why Denis Fitzgerald is no longer the Parra CEO. They guy was a goose.
In all honesty MT, super league is long forgotten up here. If anyone were to despise Melbourne solely because Super League it would be me as my original league team that I supported, the Illawarra Steelers were a major casualty of that debacle.
The rivalry that extends to Melbourne is also the same for the QLD teams and even Canberra to a smaller extent. People fall back on alliances that they associate with the most (The old rule. Team first, then State, Then Country) You may find that some disgruntled Bulldogs fans and possibly even some dragons fans(except me) will go for the Storm as the frustration of losing to Parra may still cut deep. I'm going for Parra because my in-laws are huge fans and take me to games so for want of a better expression, they are my second favorite NRL team.
Oh and also to tick CUB off!!