NRL 2020: Bulldogs Josh Jackson saved from moving out, but others not so lucky
Bulldogs captain Josh Jackson has been given approval under the NRL’s strict biosecurity rules to continue living with his partner who is a doctor, but another teammate hasn’t been so lucky and is looking for a new place to live.
NRL
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Canterbury captain Josh Jackson has been given approval under the NRL’s strict COVID-19 biosecurity guidelines to remain in the same house as his partner, a specialist doctor.
After receiving the green light from respective state governments and striking a broadcast deal, the NRL’s ability to get up and running for a May 28 reboot now hinges on players abiding by an extensive biosecurity regime.
One protocol outlines the requirement for players to find alternative accommodation over the course of the season if they live with someone who has an occupation in a high risk industry or underlying medical condition.
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Jackson's’s long-term partner, Madie, is an anaesthetist at a Sydney hospital and the couple needed to prove to the appropriate authorities that the pair could safely remain living together.
“We’ve had to provide a fair bit of information about exactly what she does at work and where she works but because she doesn’t come into contact with any patients who have COVID and she’s not working in the ICU, the NRL and the government are happy to keep that [living] situation going. So we got pretty lucky there,” Jackson said.
But Jackson’s teammate Marcelo Montoya hasn’t been as lucky.
The Canterbury junior is being forced out of his family home because his mother is an aged care worker in a facility.
Under the guidelines the outside back must try to secure a place of residence where he can have his own bedroom and bathroom.
Jackson said a possibility for Montoya would be to move into one of the club’s share houses used to accommodate players that move from interstate to Belmore.
“I know there was work being done on that. There were a few options, there was the ability for Marcy [Montoya] to move into one of the share houses the club has for the boys who generally live interstate and the younger guys that first move to the club, so that is certainly an option,” he said.
“It’s a sacrifice but a small one, it will be a little bit disruptive but it’s something that I know Marcy is taking in his stride, he knows that’s what it is going to take to be able to get back to training and playing and there’s a lot of other people in the community who are making sacrifices that are along the same lines or greater.”
The attention of players has now turned to Mother’s Day this Sunday.
There was initially some confusion about whether or not players would be able to spend time with their mums on the special day.
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But the biosecurity guidelines do allow for players to visit their mums on Sunday but must adhere to the strict rules which limit the amount of people that can be in the same house at one time.
Players must also document who their mothers have come in contact with before the visit.
Bulldogs fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak would normally visit his mum with his brother and Penrith Panthers back Malakai but that won’t be allowed this year.
“My mother-in-law lives in Canberra but my mum lives around a half an hour away from me, so I’m definitely going to go see my mum. I just have to organise a team where I can and make sure it’s safe enough for us to do that, I’ve also got my brother there too so it’s a bit tricky but as I said we’re adapting everyday, we’ll make it work I know my family will be supportive of that and I’ll get to wish my mum a happy Mother’s Day and give her a little present that I got for her,” Watene-Zelezniak said.