NRL 2021: Players told new biosecurity bubble is real possibility as COVID-19 causes problems

While the relaxation of bubble protocols for the off-season was welcomed by players, the NRL is ‘preparing for anything’ as COVID continues to keep sport on its toes.

The NRL is ready to pull the trigger on a new biosecurity bubble if needed as Sydney’s COVID cluster outbreak threatens the resumption of training.

The league’s 16 clubs will return to pre-season training on Monday in preparation for the March 11 season kick-off.

However, after two months of COVID clarity, a series of clusters across greater Sydney and Melbourne’s new community transmission has thrown a curveball at the NRL.

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The Warriors were fenced off from the rest of the public on the NSW Central Coast last year.

Teams commenced 2021 season preparations in November without the strict bubble protocols which were in place for the revamped 2020 season.

While the NRL is yet to formally introduce protocols for the upcoming season, there is a possibility that will occur if the Sydney outbreaks continue to spread.

The NRL’s Project Apollo committee, which orchestrated the 2020 season relaunch, has been in regular dialogue over the Christmas break to monitor the Sydney situation.

The northern beaches cluster has Manly on high alert while the growing Croydon cluster is close to the Wests Tigers and Canterbury Bulldogs.

There has also been a positive case recorded in Wollongong, home of St George Illawarra Dragons.

The Victorian government introduced new rules around masks and gatherings on New Year’s Eve after three cases of community transmission were recorded this week, potentially impacting the Melbourne Storm.

The Christmas and New Year period, where people have been gathering and travelling, has the potential to cause a spike in COVID cases over the coming weeks.

Melbourne had to play most of the season out of the Sunshine Coast in 2020.

NRL head of football Graham Annesley said the Project Apollo committee was closely monitoring the situation and bubble restrictions could return if necessary.

“Anything is a possibility of happening, but we are officially in ‘Apollo Standby’ at the moment,” he said.

“The clubs are about to return to training. We are reviewing all of our protocols, procedures and taking medical advice from government health authorities and our medical experts.

“We can dial our requirements up or down based on circumstances as they change. We are monitoring it on a daily basis.”

The 2020 NRL season was sensationally suspended after two rounds in March as the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill.

Under the guidance of ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and the Apollo committee, a reduced 20-round season relaunched on May 28 and concluded on October 25 without a player contracting the virus.

The bubble protocols were not without controversy as numerous players and staff received fines for breaching the rules.

Wayne Bennett was forced into quarantine for dining at a Sydney restaurant.

Among many sanctions, the Broncos were hit with $140,000 in fines for a major breach while South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett was forced into two weeks of quarantine for dining at a Sydney restaurant.

The relaxation of bubble protocols for the off-season was welcomed by players and staff who adhered to strict quarantine requirements, mainly because of the Queensland Government’s border policy.

While the players would be reluctant to enter another bubble, Annesley said they understood what needed to happen for the competition to kick off.

“The clubs and players understand we have to do what we have to do,” he said.

“None of this is done on a whim, it’s on the medical advice we get and requirements of government.

“We don’t do it just because we want to do it. We do it because whatever action we take is based on the strongest possible advice.”

Any protocols are unlikely to severely impact the competition until teams are required to travel when pre-season games commence in February.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Players told new biosecurity bubble is real possibility as COVID-19 causes problems