Palmerston Raiders rugby league club receive costly penalties after Covid restriction breach

Palmerston Raiders have copped a costly fine and a loss of competition points after breaching Covid restrictions laid down by the NRL NT.

PALMERSTON Raiders have received a fine and a loss of competition points after breaching Covid restrictions laid down by the NRL NT.

Following the lifting of lockdown in the Darwin region on July 2 the public were advised that close contact sport and training including rugby league would not be permitted until July 9.

To avoid doubt and to ensure all clubs could compete on the same level the sporting body issued a further ruling that all sanctioned rugby league activity was to cease until July 9.

The NRL NT were then made aware of an allegation that there was physical activity occurring at the Palmerston Raider home ground, Goodline Park, on July 8.

Palmerston Raiders have copped costly penalties after a Covid restriction breach. Photo: Che Chorley

The Raiders were due to play the Northern Sharks on July 10 but due to the report all round 10 senior games involving the clubs were postponed.

After the investigation the body found the Raiders to have behaved contrary to the code of conduct and chose to enforce penalties.

Those penalties included a $2500 fine, a two competition point reduction for all senior grades and a forfeit result for all senior games due to be played in round 10 resulting in a further two point reduction.

NRL NT general manager Nigel Roy said the organisation was deeply disappointed that the club did not comply with the Covid guidelines.

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“The NRL NT are extremely disappointed that the Palmerston clubs didn’t comply with the league’s guidelines,” Roy said.

“However we have been encouraged by the club’s cooperation and willingness to work with the league to resolve this matter and now look forward to the remainder of the season.

“Our understanding is that the Raiders went about their training in a matter compliant with the chief health officer but failed to comply with the directions of the league.

“There’s no doubt that these penalties will have a big impact on the senior teams at the club but they still have a chance to compete and should they win their games they will still be eligible for finals.”

As a result of the penalties the Raiders A-grade side now sit in fifth position, two points outside of a possible finals berth.

The women’s side were originally sitting at the top of the table after a slew of strong showings but following the penalties sit in third.