Tribunal, Covid issues: Extending season among options

RLI interim chairman Anthony Breeze said while the tribunal proceedings continue, the board was planning a separate Covid-impact meeting this week. Check out the latest developments.

The Rugby League Ipswich board will have a Zoom meeting this week to decide whether the latest matches can kick on later or be abandoned due to the latest Covid shutdown. A number of other important issues will be discussed. Picture: Bruce Clayton

AS more results from the Rugby League Ipswich (RLI) investigation into the July 11 footy brawl are expected this week, another important meeting is planned to resolve the latest Covid impact issues.

The RLI Disciplinary Tribunal met last Thursday to hear the first of a series of charges against registered players and team staff involved in last month’s incident at the Swifts RLFC grounds.

An initial list of seven players were charged with Grade 4 Contrary Conduct.

Four players, who are yet to be named, pleaded guilty and have been suspended.

Three players received four game bans and one player was handed a three-week suspension.

Three other cases are planned for this week.

The RLI Board and Disciplinary Tribunal has further meetings scheduled for this week to address the more serious contrary conduct charges. This involves six players, two spectators and two team officials.

The update statement on the investigation process read: “It is very likely that the RLI Board and Disciplinary Tribunal may provide findings and recommendations for each club to implement to improve the environment at matches.

“At this stage, Goodna and Swifts are continuing to comply with any directions/requests from the Police and QRL/RLI.’’

The Goodna A-Grade team has been suspended for the rest of the season following last month’s sideline brawl at Purga.

Interim RLI chairman Anthony Breeze said while the tribunal proceedings continue, the board’s directors will hold a separate Zoom meeting this week to discuss other important matters.

They include whether to abandon or try to replay last weekend’s round 14 Ipswich competition games.

“We’ve got a meeting next week. Because we’ve already missed one round there (from the earlier three-day lockdown), whether we can afford to miss another round or extend the season,’’ Breeze said.

“There’s a lot of scenarios in play for the meeting.

“Some clubs want to play, some want to share the points, keep it there so we’ve got to decide.’’

The previous weekend of games affected by the state government lockdown was abandoned.

A specific issue centres on the Jets A-Grade side which could miss a month of matches before the finals due to the current restrictions and planned events.

The Jets were scheduled to play Fassifern at Hayes Oval on Saturday before the latest lockdown was implemented by the State Government.

The Jets have no scheduled game next weekend with Goodna suspended from the competition.

The following weekend (August 13) is the RLI senior and junior presentation function and then the first round of finals are planned involving the Jets.

The Ipswich Jets A-Grade are in a tricky situation due to games being lost. Picture: Bruce Clayton

Breeze said another option was to play lost games on the presentation weekend.

“Whatever way you go is not going to favour everyone so we’ve got to try and work something out,’’ he said.

Next Sunday’s scheduled final round matches are Swifts at home to Fassifern and Brothers hosting Norths.

The future of those games depends on this week’s Covid developments.

At this stage, the RLI grand finals are set down for Sunday, September 5.

The junior grand finals are scheduled for Saturday, September 4.

Exciting women’s rugby league

The Rugby League Ipswich competition issues arise as Ipswich was preparing to host the SEQ Women’s grand finals on Saturday at the North Ipswich Reserve.

Division 1, 2 and 3 grand finals were scheduled with Goodna having a team in the top grade season decider.

Whether the grand finals proceed next weekend depend on the state government’s next Covid decision.

Other junior matches also fell victim to Saturday’s snap lockdown.

“We’ve got to wait for the (SEQ) Division to find out what’s going to happen with them too,’’ Breeze said.

In better news, Rugby League Ipswich has stepped up to back a Jets under-19 team in next year’s Harvey Norman competition.

Breeze said the plan was to prepare an Ipswich Jets women’s side able to compete in the 2023 BHP Premiership.