Queensland legend Darren Lockyer says the Maroons will have a home-town advantage playing the opening State of Origin match next year at the MCG.
The former Australian, Queensland and Brisbane skipper joined forces with NSW great Brad Fittler in Melbourne to launch ticket sales for the rugby league showpiece.
The MCG will host game one of the 2018 series on June 6, with organisers hopeful of topping the record 2015 attendance of 91,513 - the biggest crowd in Origin history.
NSW won that match 26-18 but, with six Storm players in the current Queensland line-up and only a question mark over Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater for next year's series, the Maroons will have plenty of support in Melbourne.
"I think Victorians tend to lean towards Queensland a little bit because of the Queenslanders in the Storm so we'll get plenty of support down here," Lockyer said.
"The support isn't on the same scale as playing at Suncorp but I think game one down here, Cameron Smith will be the captain so I think there's a bit of an advantage."
Lockyer admitted he wasn't always a fan of taking an Origin game away from the traditional homelands but had been swayed by the 2015 edition.
"There's no doubt this is the best way to get rugby league on the radar of people who don't necessarily watch it because Origin's more than just the game itself - it's an event," he said.
"It's our pinnacle in our game and it's the best way to grow the game in other states."
Tickets go on sale on Thursday.
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