via AAMI Park
To celebrate 10 years of AAMI Park, we caught up with two devoted Storm fans. Meet Bernie and Samantha – two supporters who have followed Storm’s journey from the very beginning.
Tell us a little about yourself:
Bernie: My name is Bernie and I'm a Learning Diversity Leader (Special Ed) in a primary school. I’m a born and bred Melbournian.
Samantha: I’m Samantha Shaw, I work as an Emergency Response team leader.
How long have you been a Storm fan?
Bernie: I've supported Storm since its inception. I used to love going to Olympic Park and now love going to AAMI – these two venues helped me convert my husband!
Samantha: I’m a Melbourne Storm foundation member.
What does Melbourne Storm mean to you?
Bernie: Storm means many things to me...It's about mateship and solidarity through the good times (Premierships) and the challenging times (2010). It's about friendships made too. I've crossed paths with people from all walks of life and we all share a common bond - our Storm.
Samantha: For me, it’s about pride. I feel it and I feel like the team feels it!
Who do you come to games with and do you recognise other fans at home games?
Bernie: I come with my husband. We sit up in the Clubhouse in the same spot every home game. We used to stay in General Admission but over the last few years, as we’ve got older and colder, we moved upstairs. It is in the Clubhouse where you get to know others well and have a chat before and after the game. We are armchair experts naturally.
Samantha: I come with a friend; we generally tend to sit near the same people although naturally some seem to have moved over the years.
What has been a favourite moment at AAMI Park over the years?
Bernie: Favourite moments are hard – there are so many! Cam Smith's milestones, Billy's farewell, new players making their debut, saying farewell to other players... but most of all I think for me it would have to be ANZAC Day games. The blackout, anthems, hakka and the reverence shown by the Warriors, Storm and the crowd. AAMI is an intimate setting for this.
Samantha: Any golden point win, milestone game and THAT 2010 press conference.
