Origin heads to Melbourne

Melbourne's Telstra Dome will host the first match of the 2009 State of Origin series on June 3.

The NRL's decision was based largely on the fact that in 2006 a sell-out State of Origin crowd of 54,833 was in attendance at the Melbourne venue.

Of course later that same year a crowd of over 30,000 people attended the Kangaroos' Test match against New Zealand.

"Through representative matches and the Melbourne Storm there is a strong commitment to providing Melbourne audiences with direct access to the best in Rugby League," ARL chairman Colin Love said.

"The response from Melbourne fans, from the Victorian government and from the Telstra Dome management has been very encouraging."

"Rugby League has a long history of staging quality events in Melbourne and there is no doubt that a city with such a vibrant sporting culture deserves to see the very best the game can offer."

Game two of next year's State of Origin series will be played in Sydney while Brisbane will play host to the third match.