Finch, who was one of a handful of Storm players at Willow Park yesterday for the NRL club’s annual community carnival, said the impressive turnout at yesterday’s session was an indication of the growing strength of the sport.

“It’s a lot harder for the Storm, being in an AFL-dominated state, but we certainly feel there’s a lot of league supporters out there and we feel like we’re well supported in Melbourne and throughout the state,” the multiple NSW State of Origin five-eighth said.

“It’s even quite surprising up here today, that so many of the kids knew our names and wore plenty of Storm jumpers.

“The Storm definitely has its place in Melbourne — I guess (winning) three premierships in its 12 years in the competition is fantastic, and there’s household names like Billy Slater and Greg Inglis, who are superstars of the game and added to the success of the past few years, it has certainly helped grow the profile of the sport.

“It gives the club the ammunition to sell the product.”

Finch, 28, who crossed from Parramatta to Melbourne in April last year after previous stints with Canberra Raiders and Sydney Roosters, was adamant his new club wasn’t on the slide after four consecutive grand final appearances.

“There&rsquo ;s no reason (the Storm would slip back to the pack this season),” the 2009 premiership player said.

“People said after the Manly defeat (a record-breaking 40-0 grand final loss to the Sea Eagles in 2008) that it could be the end of the dynasty.

“But ... we went on to win the competition again (last year) and we’ve still got a great core group of players, so we’re as good a chance as anyone else.

“And the thing with (Melbourne coach) Craig Bellamy is, he won’t use the success of the last four years as an excuse.

“We’re pretty confident we’ll be in good shape.”

Yesterday’s visit co-incided with a Wodonga Junior Rugby League registration day, while Storm players also stopped-in at Corowa and Wangaratta.

The club’s tour of the region continues today, with a series of school clinics planned.