Townsville NRL grand final potential after new Covid-19 cases

Townsville could be in for another huge weekend with the NRL and Queensland Government in crisis talks over the grand final after new Covid-19 cases emerged.

THE NRL and the Queensland Government are in crisis talks over the grand final, which is scheduled for Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

It is understood Townsville has been put on notice in it’s capacity as the back-up venue after two mystery Covid-19 cases cropped up in Brisbane.

The city has been earmarked as the backup venue for the grand final since negotiations about an all-Queensland finals series began.

Townsville has hosted multiple major events this year as Covid-19 forced the lockdown of major cities across the country.

Last weekend, the city hosted the 2021 Rugby Championships, including a historic 100th match between the All Blacks and the Springbok.

Two weeks earlier it hosted an NRL finals double header.

Adam Reynolds of the Rabbitohs tackles Viliame Kikau of the Panthers during the NRL Qualifying Final match between Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs at QCB Stadium, on September 11, 2021, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

An infectious diseases expert told the media this morning she believed the event should be postponed.

Professor Mary-Louise McLaws of the University of NSW said Sunday’s grand Final at Suncorp Stadium “could be a super-spreading event” and authorities would have to think very fast about whether the even should be held with the same number of people.

“I’d be surprised if they cancel it, but I personally think they should,” she said.

The Adalong Guesthouse student accommodation on Stephens Road has been cordoned off by police as authorities scramble to gather more information, but it is believed the case is not linked to the case detected in an aviation worker that was alerted late on Monday night.

Queensland Health is expected to report three new Covid cases on Tuesday morning – the aviation worker, his wife and the South Brisbane case – with more contact sites to be added.

The new cases follow Riverfire, a major event along Brisbane River, however there is no suggestion the cases are linked to the event yet.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys told News Corp it was “not a concern” at this stage, but more would be known as the day unfolds.

“The grand final won’t stay at Suncorp if there is a lockdown, but at this stage there isn’t one, so we have to hope and pray there isn’t a lockdown,” V’landys said.

Asked what will happen if the Queensland government won’t allow the NRL grand final to be played at Suncorp, V’landys said: “Townsville is Plan B.”

Originally published as Townsville NRL grand final potential after new Covid-19 cases