NRL 2021: Snap lockdown forces Melbourne Storm to relocate to Queensland

The unexpected relocation of the Melbourne Storm out of Victoria and into Queensland has forced the NRL into organising a mini Magic Round on the Gold Coast.

Suncorp Stadium will host a double header in round 18. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

The Gold Coast is quickly becoming the new home of the NRL with the governing body locking-in a last-minute Super Saturday double-header.

The unexpected relocation of the Melbourne Storm out of Victoria and into Queensland has forced the NRL into organising a mini Magic Round on the Gold Coast that will end with five games in three days at Cbus Super Stadium.

The Saturday double-header will also allow the NRL to maximise crowd attendances.

Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

An emergency ARL commission meeting has rubber-stamped this weekend’s round-18 draw changes which includes:

* The Cowboys-Roosters fixture in Townsville moving from it’s original 5.30pm time slot on Saturday to 3pm.

* The Raiders-Sharks fixture set for Cbus Super Stadium at 3pm on Saturday moving to the first double-header time-slot of 5.30pm.

* The Storm, who were originally due to host the Knights at 7.30pm AAMI Park in Melbourne, will now play at 7.30pm at Cbus Super Stadium to complete the double-header.

Melbourne Storm are on the move to Queensland. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

All six clubs have been told of time changes while both TV broadcasters Fox Sports and Nine have approved the schedule change.

Rugby League fans in Queensland are the big winners, particularly on the Gold Coast, after the NRL used Cbus Super Stadium for State of Origin on Wednesday night.

A double-header has also been scheduled on Friday night between the Titans and Eels at 6pm and Sea Eagles and Dragons at 8.05pm.

Storm’s urgent exit as Melbourne locked down

— Nick Smart

Melbourne Storm has made a Thursday night dash to Queensland, with Saturday night’s scheduled AAMI Park clash to now be played in the sunshine state.

Storm’s players and coaches were told on Thursday afternoon to immediately pack their bags ahead of flying to Brisbane that night to escape Victoria’s impending Covid lockdown.

Its clash with Newcastle — which was to be played in Melbourne — is now expected to be played either on the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast.

It is a bitter blow for ladder-leading Storm given the clash with the Knights was to be its first home game in over two months.

Josh Addo-Carr and the Storm are leaving Melbourne due to lockdown fears. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

“It’s extremely disappointing for our members and fans…we’re shattered we’re not able to play in front of them on Saturday,” Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said.

“It’s been 78 days since we last played at AAMI Park and unfortunately due to the ongoing Covid situation and discussions with the state governments, the NRL and health authorities, we’ve had to relocate the team this evening.”

Rodski said he remained hopeful Storm would be back playing at AAMI Park this year.

“We were exploring all options (for Saturday night) and it was certainly an option to play at AAMI with either a reduced capacity or no crowd,” he said.

“But unfortunately as time’s gone on and with a lockdown looming, the challenges around the team and border crossings — particularly in and out of Queensland — became too great.

“We’re taking the cautious approach now to relocate the team to ensure the game could go ahead this weekend.

Melbourne Storm boss Justin Rodski. Picture: Patrick Woods

“We’ll reassess afterwards and we’re still really hopeful of returning to Victoria to play our remaining three home games.

“But at this stage there was just too much uncertainty.”

The players and coaches were joined on the Thursday night flight by their partners and immediate family.

Storm will stay in Queensland after Saturday night ahead of Friday week’s clash with the Cowboys in Townsville.

It is not yet known how long Storm will be out of Victoria for.

It follows last year’s disruption, when Storm won the NRL title while based in a Queensland hub for months.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Snap lockdown forces Melbourne Storm to relocate to Queensland