Biosecurity expert pedicts crowds will be back for NRL grand final

A biosecurity expert charged with resurrecting the NRL season has revealed he expects crowds to be back in time for the grand final.

This year’s NRL premiers could be crowned in front of a full house, just as last year’s Roosters were. Picture: Brett Costello

The biosecurity expert charged with resurrecting the NRL season has revealed he expects crowds to be back to rugby league in time for both the grand final and State of Origin series.

In a huge boost for footy fans, associate professor David Heslop has told The Australian he expects “mass gathering” crowds to be allowed back into stadiums by the end of this year.

An expert in analysing biosecurity risks and epidemic modelling, Heslop suggested that while the NRL would initially play to empty stadiums from May 28, a “graded” return to filling venues was the most likely course of action.

Internationally, there have been suggestions that crowds may not return to some sports until 2021 at the earliest.

However, Heslop suggested that was only likely in the NRL if there was a change in Australia’s current COVID-19 situation — such as a sudden new spike in cases.

The news comes as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk launched an audacious bid to steal not only the NRL grand final on October 25, but two games from the ensuing November Origin series.

Asked when he again expected NRL crowds of 20,000 and above, Heslop said: “Based on current pathways, and barring any changes in the meantime, this would likely be sometime in the second half of this year”.

The positive prediction will almost certainly have major implications on where the NRL stages its showpiece games at the end of 2020.

While the Sydney Cricket Ground was initially chosen to host the NRL decider on October 4, it would be ruled out of the new, later timeslot should the T20 World Cup go ahead as scheduled.

With ANZ Stadium and Allianz Stadium also undergoing major renovations, the Queensland government is now pitching Suncorp Stadium as a potential venue for both the NRL decider and at least two Origin fixtures.

“It’s certain that restrictions on mass gatherings of that size will be one of the last to be lifted,” Heslop continued.

“It is also difficult to predict the timing with any certainty.”

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH