Brisbane flee to Sydney and could be part of Homebush double header

Brisbane have set up camp in Sydney and they could be part of a Stadium Australia double header depending on how the Victorian government reacts to the Queensland Covid outbreak.

The Brisbane Broncos were on this plane as they fled Queensland for Sydney. Picture: Josh Woning

Brisbane have set up camp in Sydney for the next fortnight and their stay could yet include a starring role in a double header at Stadium Australia amid fears that more positive COVID-19 results in southeast Queensland could force the ARL Commission to move Friday night’s blockbuster out of Melbourne.

Around 50 Broncos players and staff boarded a charter flight for Sydney on Monday afternoon and will be based at Parramatta for more than a week as they prepare for away games against the Storm and South Sydney.

There is a chance that their game against Melbourne could yet be moved given the strict measures put in place by the Victorian government in response to the latest cluster in southeast Queensland.

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It is understood the NRL has talked about playing the game as part of a double header at Stadium Australia — South Sydney and Canterbury are due to play at the ground on Friday afternoon. The Broncos and Storm game would then follow.

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys made it clear the priority was for the Storm to host their home game, but the commission is likely to be guided by developments on Tuesday morning.

There are genuine fears that the numbers could rapidly increase, prompting state governments to tighten rules around their borders. That could potentially leave the commission with the decision to make on not just the Broncos, but a number of clubs.

“We’re looking at all the options tomorrow at the commission meeting,” V’landys said.

“It is how the other states react that is the problem we face.”

Asked about the prospect of moving Friday night’s game between the Storm and Brisbane and playing it as part of a double header on Easter Friday, V’landys said: “Naturally our first preference is to keep the game where it is but if it is too big of a risk, we won’t.

“We’ll make a decision tomorrow depending on what the infection rate is and how the other governments react to it.”

V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo held talks with biosecurity expert doctor David Heslop on Monday night, as did Project Apollo. The fear is that the latest cluster in southeast Queensland will continue to grow, which in turn will not only impact on the Broncos but also the Gold Coast Titans, who are due to host Canberra at their home ground on Sunday.

The NRL were taking no chances with the Broncos. A frantic day finished with Brisbane boarding a plane for Sydney. While they will stay in a hotel at Parramatta, they are expected to use the facilities at Homebush to finetune their preparations for Friday night’s game.

The Broncos are coming off their first win of the season and coach Kevin Walters plans on using the time away from home to forge a stronger bond between the playing group.

“The players and staff have taken the changes in their stride, and while it’s tough on many of our team with young families, they are keen to get on the road and prepare for a great challenge against the Storm,” Broncos chief executive Neil Monaghan.

“We will then stay in Sydney to get ready for the Rabbitohs game, which will ensure the continuity of the competition.

“Coach Kev Walters and all the players and staff are seeing this time on the road as a great opportunity to further strengthen their team bond, especially coming off the back of a morale boosting win.”

The commission meeting was destined to be significant regardless given they were also due to discuss the concept of introducing an 18th man for concussion.

V’landys confirmed that idea was still on the agenda and the sense is that it will be given the green light, albeit under strict terms.

It is understood that the 18th man will only come into effect should a team lose multiple players to concussion. The belief is that will prevent coaches and teams rorting the system.

“We’re always concerned about injuries,” NRL head of football Graham Annesley said.
“No one wants players to get injured. At the moment what we are trying to do is collate as much information as possible.

“What we don’t want to do is rush into anything. We have to assess it properly before we jump to any conclusion about injuries.”