Dear National Rugby League,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful birthday gift for our 10th Year Celebrations this weekend. Given the amount of planning and effort that has gone into this weekend to make it a special and memorable time for all Storm supporters I can not thank you enough for giving us referee extraordinaire, Paul Simpkins, as the official for our game against the Dragons.
We can only hope that Simpkins replicates his magnificent performance from last year's Storm v. Broncos Grand Final. You must have known the love and affection all Storm supporters have for this man and your gesture shows us exactly how much respect you have for us down here in Melbourne. Truly awesome!
Thanks once again for trying to help make our day a joyous one.
Best Regards,
Katy
</sarcasm>
Sour grapes? Yeah, okay, maybe just a little. Still it really does suck out loud.
I was really looking forward to the first time we had Simpkins as Ref at Olympic Park this year. I was counting on the whole of OP giving him the hostile welcome he so rightly deserves and being a part of that was going to be huge. Unsportsmanlike. Sure. But huge none the less. Having his first appearance coincide with our 10th Birthday celebrations puts a dampener on both events. Each really did deserve it’s very own special day.