Gold Coast Titans relocate to Sydney, Dolphins move to Newcastle following flooding

The Titans and Dolphins have made a mad dash to NSW in the wake of Cyclone Alfred’s widespread flooding, with the latter’s Redcliffe base left without power. SEE THE VIDEO

The Dolphins have made a mad dash to Newcastle on Monday night after the club’s training bases were left unusable by ex-cyclone Alfred this week.

The club’s Redcliffe base has been without power since Kristian Woolf’s side returned to Queensland last Saturday after their Round 1 clash against the Rabbitohs was relocated to Sydney.

Kayo Stadium, the Dolphins home ground, was also flooded and the side was unable to train there on Monday, with Woolf forced to cancel the scheduled session.

Kristian Woolf and the Dolphins have made a dash to Newcastle. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Woolf will finalise preparations for Thursday’s clash against the Knights in Newcastle with a field session on Tuesday before a final hit out at Captain’s Run on Wednesday.

It comes as the Gold Coast Titans prepare to relocate to Sydney on Tuesday after the club’s training fields were left two metres under water and their dojo flooded.

It has forced coach Des Hasler to travel to Sydney for seven days to finalise preparations ahead of the Titans’ season opener against Canterbury at Belmore Oval on Sunday.

TITANS FLEE TO SYDNEY AFTER FACILITIES INUNDATED

With the club’s training fields two metres under water, and their dojo flooded, Gold Coast has been forced to relocate to Sydney for seven days – with an insatiable motivation to secure victory.

It comes as the Dolphins have been forced to find new training fields with the club’s Redcliffe base heavily waterlogged.

The Titans’ training fields were badly damaged by Queensland’s rain bomb, with the club moving to Sydney Olympic Park from Tuesday ahead of Sunday night’s game against Canterbury at Belmore Sports Ground.

Gold Coast will leave on Tuesday although the club on Monday morning hadn’t formally nailed down their replacement training fields in Sydney. The team won’t return home until Monday.

The Dolphins had to postpone training on Monday and will try to complete sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of Thursday night’s away game against Newcastle.

Dolphins management has been desperately attempting to find nearby training fields that haven’t been affected by the rain.

Gold Coast's training ground is under water.

Shifting cities for nearly a week will be a considerable challenge for Gold Coast, who haven’t played an NRL game this season following a round one bye. This masthead was sent photos and videos of the club’s headquarters, which were literally under water.

The Titans will fly around 25 players and staff to Sydney with the NRL likely to shoulder some costs.

And Gold Coast players have vowed to perform strongly for the people back home affected by flooding.

“No excuses. Heads down, arse up and get the job done,” said Titans CEO Steve Mitchell. “The playing group will be motivated about turning on a performance for the community and people at home who have been affected, for those at home mopping up.”

Titans’ training field under water.

Flash flood waters threaten Gold Coast's training ground.

Aware of looming rain, Gold Coast relocated any equipment that would have been exposed to the weather to higher ground. Large sections of the club’s Centre of Excellence structure are dry.

Gold Coast management has been constantly checking the welfare and safety of the club’s playing group, their families and staff over the past week.

By the time Gold Coast returns home next week, they won’t have trained at their Centre of Excellence in Parkwood for 12 days.

“First and foremost, the wellbeing of our playing group, their families, staff and their families is our first consideration before we even look at footy,” Mitchell said.

“Once that’s consolidated, and we know where we’re at, we will relocate to Sydney and get ready for this weekend.

“It isn’t an ideal preparation but we have a good week to get stuck in and get ready given the game is on Sunday night. All-in-all, we will deal with it for what it is. The playing surface at our training ground drains well and we could run on it Wednesday or Thursday but we just can’t take that risk.”

Brisbane resumed training on Monday at its Red Hill headquarters and still plan to fly to Canberra on Friday afternoon for Saturday’s game.

Broncos star Payne Haas leads the charge at Red Hill on Monday. Picture: Broncos

Broncos players used the gym on Monday morning – rather than Monday afternoon – to give the playing surface additional time to dry out.

A club statement read: “The Broncos NRL squad has returned to training on a revised schedule due to the adverse weather, following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

“The Clive Berghofer Centre (Broncos headquarters) has reopened and has returned to normal operations. At this stage, there has been no significant damage to the Red Hill training facilities and fields.”

Originally published as Gold Coast Titans relocate to Sydney, Dolphins move to Newcastle following flooding