NBL club-by-club Covid guide as national record cases cause havoc with season draw

Covid cases have reached record levels, leaving the NBL season in chaos and facing multiple postponed games - but a decision from the Prime Minister could change all that.

The NBL will go ahead with this weekend’s two games following an executives meeting on Thursday afternoon.

There were concerns Covid could force the NBL to postpone more games, but Friday and Saturday’s matches between Cairns/Perth (December 31) and Tasmania and United (January 1) have been given the all clear.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s national definition of a Covid close contact will also be a game changer for the NBL.

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Morrison announced a close contact will now be considered as a person who is a household contact who has spent four or more hours with a confirmed Covid case, except in exceptional circumstances.

The new close contact definition will be adopted across five jurisdictions, NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and the ACT, from midnight Thursday.

The new close contact definition means the Adelaide 36ers players and staff who were deemed close contacts following one positive case and forced into a fortnight’s isolation are free to resume normal life.

Scott Morrison revealed details of the government’s new close contact rules. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

NBL commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said the league could reschedule postponed games next week while he ruled out the use of a hub like the NBL Cup last season.

“I wouldn’t say cram games in, but we are going to reschedule them for the current period,” Loeliger said.

“We kept Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and to a large extent Thursday relatively free in order to be able to reschedule postponed games. The games that have been postponed so far will be able to be slotted into January.”

Here is the current Covid status of each club:

SYDNEY KINGS

The Kings are currently Covid free. League officials had attempted to schedule a game against the JackJumpers in Tasmania on Sunday, but this appears unlikely. Sydney’s next game is against the JackJumpers in Tassie on Saturday, January 8.

ADELAIDE 36ERS

Adelaide had one player test positive, meaning the entire playing and support staff were deemed close contacts despite returning negative tests.

As a result, the 36ers’ next two games against Perth (December 28) and South East Melbourne (January 2) have been postponed, although the players and staff deemed close contacts are free to leave isolation from midnight Thursday following the PM’s new close contact definition.

Adelaide 36ers have been hit hard by just one Covid case. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty

BRISBANE BULLETS

The Brisbane Bullets postponed its New Year’s Day game against the Perth Wildcats following positive Covid results within the playing ranks.

The Bullets team, who are all double vaccinated, are currently undertaking isolation as per the QLD Health protocols, with their symptoms being monitored each day.

The Bullets next game is against New Zealand on January 9.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX

South East Melbourne resumed training on Thursday, expect for one player who is isolating until January 6 due to Covid protocols.

The Phoenix don’t play again until January 8 against the Taipans in Cairns.

With numerous #NBL22 games being postponed during rounds 4 and 5 due to COVID impacts, league commissioner @JeremyLoeliger has revealed the plan is to reschedule those matchups in January.

via @RSNBreakfast

More details ⤵️

— The NBL (@NBL) December 30, 2021

ILLAWARRA HAWKS

The majority of the Illawarra roster returned positive Covid tests, forcing the team into isolation until January 1.

The Hawks’ next game is at home against Melbourne United on January 9.

MELBOURNE UNITED

Melbourne is currently Covid free. United are scheduled to play against Tasmania on New Year’s Day.

United’s next game after this weekend is against the Hawks in Wollongong on January 9.

The Hawks have been forced into isolation until January 1. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS

The Breakers next game is against the Bullets in Brisbane on January 9.

CAIRNS TAIPANS

Cairns is currently Covid free. The Taipans next game is against Perth on New Year’s Eve before another home clash against South East Melbourne on January 8.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS

Tasmania is currently Covid free.

The JackJumpers next game is against United on New Year’s Day.

Tasmania then host the Sydney Kings on January 8.

PERTH WILDCATS

Perth are currently Covid free. The Wildcats take on the Taipans in Cairns on New Year’s Eve before a clash against the 36ers in Adelaide on January 7.

Originally published as NBL club-by-club Covid guide as national record cases cause havoc with season draw