Broncos escape to Sydney as Qld lockdown looms

Brisbane will base themselves in Sydney in the lead-up to Friday night’s blockbuster against the Melbourne Storm.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. Picture: NRL Photos

Brisbane will base themselves in Sydney in the lead-up to Friday night’s blockbuster against the Melbourne Storm.

The Broncos confirmed on Monday afternoon that their players and staff would board a charter flight and leave Brisbane to avoid the three-day COVID lockdown in the Greater Brisbane area and ensure Friday night’s game goes ahead.

It is understood as part of their contingency planning, the NRL has also discussed moving Friday night’s game from AAMI Park in Melbourne to Sydney, where it would be part of a doubleheader at Stadium Australia.

Canterbury and South Sydney are due to play on Friday afternoon. Broncos interim chief executive Neil Monaghan said the team and football staff would remain away from Brisbane until after the round five game against the Rabbitohs on April 8.

The team will also base itself in Sydney to prepare for Friday night’s game against the Storm in Melbourne.

The Broncos said a decision on the team’s return to Brisbane after the Rabbitohs game would depend on how the COVID lockdown plays out.

“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,” said 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.”

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys told The Australian on Sunday that they would monitor developments.

“We’re not worried because we have contingency plans in place and the Queensland government, from what we know behind the scenes, are doing an excellent job,” V’landys said.

“So we’re not overly concerned at the moment. It is a case of monitoring it in the next 24-48 hours and then we will take the appropriate action. We have always been ready for a scenario like this.”.

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Pubs and clubs are out. Social distancing is back in. No one wants a repeat of last year, least of all the clubs and players who endured the most trying of circumstances in 2020.

“We’re preparing for the game as we normally would,” Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said.

The Broncos game against Melbourne will signify the latest stoush between the two clubs, albeit the first time they have met on the field this season.

The clubs have been at each other’s throats for months. First over Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy. Then over former Storm captain Cameron Smith. Most recently, the Storm’s former chief executive Dave Donaghy has been caught in the middle of a rivalry that while relatively fresh in nature, stirs emotions at both clubs.

The court case involving Donaghy – it was settled when the former Storm chief executive agreed to wait until May 1 to take over at the Broncos – highlighted the acrimony and suspicion that exists between the clubs.

Storm chair Matt Tripp has made no secret of his antipathy towards the Broncos, accusing them of attempting to rebuild their club by copying the secrets of Melbourne’s success.

Bellamy is at the heart of it. The Broncos have weighed in with a massive offer to make him their coaching director from next season, where he would be reunited with Broncos coach Kevin Walters.

Bellamy is yet to make a call on his future and it seems unlikely that it will arrive this week. The Storm have responded with an offer of their own, attempting to convince Bellamy to stay as head coach for another 12 months before taking on another role within the organisation.

Bellamy and Brisbane coach Kevin Walters are unlikely to engage in the sniping. They were once teammates in Canberra, then worked together in Brisbane and Melbourne. They remain close and it seems hard to believe they would engage in the tit-for-tat that has gone on in recent months.