NRL NT postpone Palmerston and Sharks senior games following potential Covid restrictions breach

SENIOR NRL NT games have been postponed this week while the sporting body investigates a potential breach of Covid restrictions

NRL NT senior games between Northern Sharks and Palmerston Raiders postponed. Picture: Che Chorley

SENIOR NRL NT games between Palmerston Raiders and Northern Sharks have been postponed this week while the sporting body investigates a potential breach of Covid restrictions.

The NT News understands that one or both of the clubs involved allegedly breached restrictions by holding team training before restrictions were lifted.

The Territory lockdown was lifted on July 2 with contact sport and training disallowed for a further week until July 9.

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The NRL NT were unable to confirm which of the clubs was being investigated though were hoping to close investigations by Thursday.

NRL NT general manager Nigel Roy stated that as one of the Territory’s leading sporting bodies the league would be taking the matter seriously.

“We received reports that one of the clubs had potentially breached Covid restrictions and the league deemed it necessary for the matter to be properly investigated,” Roy said.

“We’re not able to confirm which club is involved but the NRL NT considers itself a leading sporting body in the community and takes these matters seriously.

“We hope to finalise these investigations by Thursday with all other games going ahead as planned in the meantime.

“It’s trying times for everyone but we are thankful to our community and affiliated clubs for being accommodating and allowing the competition to be rescheduled.”

Palmerston Raiders A-grade coach Merg Mikaelian said the club were unable to comment on the investigation.

“We’re unable to say anything about the investigation as we are still talks with the league,” Mikaelian said.

Northern Sharks vice president Aaron Tilley said his club were disappointed not to be playing their scheduled games but was unable to discuss the incident.

“It’s disappointing not to be playing particularly following two weeks out of action,” Tilley said.