Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warns NRL players’ families will be ‘monitored closely’

NRL players’ families will be able to attend the team hubs in Queensland, but they must be on their best behaviour.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wants the NRL to police players’ families entering team hubs and warned any Covid-19 breaches will be “monitored closely” by her government.

All nine Sydney-based teams as well as the Warriors (currently based at Terrigal), Canberra and Newcastle will be shifted north, with hubs to be based on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and in Brisbane for at least the next month as Sydney’s Covid outbreak grows.

It is understood only Melbourne at this point along with the three Queensland teams will remain at their home bases, though that could change in what is a rapidly developing situation.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says Queensland is prepared to host the NRL competition for as long as needed. Picture: Brad Fleet

Significantly, the objective is for players’ partners and children to be accommodated as part of the massive relocation.

Where each individual team will be homed is also yet to be finalised, but the aim is to have them stay closest to where they will be playing.

Palaszczuk confirmed the players can be joined by their families inside their respective Queensland hubs, although her government will be keeping a close eye on individuals breaking the Covid-19 regulations.

“It is up to the NRL to police that (the families), but we will be monitoring it very closely as well,” Palaszczuk said.

“The NRL also asked if the family members can move. It is very hard on families with the NRL players, but they will be in their distinct hubs, so we are facilitating that the immediate family members can move with them, and they will be in those hubs.”

Palaszczuk said Queensland is prepared to host the NRL competition for as long as it needs amid Sydney’s Covid-19 outbreak.

“It will be initially for the next two months of the competition, but we will see how that is going,” she said.

“But I’m very pleased that Queensland is prepared to facilitate the moving of a number of teams here.”