NRL in talks to sprinkle relocation round with double headers

The NRL is hoping to open Relocation Round with a double header on the Gold Coast and finish it with a double header at Suncorp Stadium.

Suncorp Stadium is ready to hold a double header this weekend after also hosting the Wallabies Test. Picture: AAP

The NRL are hoping to kick off relocation round with a double header on the Gold Coast and bring it home with a double header at Suncorp Stadium after successfully lobbying the Queensland government to allow full houses over the weekend.

The NRL has also earmarked hotels on the Gold Coast for the families of players after the Queensland government ruled that they would need to be separated from their partners for the initial two-week quarantine period.

The Australian understands the NRL is still working with local authorities but their hope is that round 18 will begin on the Gold Coast with games between the Titans and Parramatta, followed by a meeting between Manly and the Dragons.

The only game that needs to be moved on Saturday is the clash between Canberra and Cronulla, which is expected to be played on the Gold Coast given Suncorp Stadium is hosting a Wallabies’ Test.

The plan for Sunday is to play the Warriors game against Penrith as a curtain raiser to Brisbane’s game against Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium. South Sydney and the Bulldogs would then finish the round back on the Gold Coast.

The Queensland government was initially concerned about hosting full houses but it is understood the NRL won that battle on Monday, guaranteeing the code a financial bonanza.

“We’re working on maybe some double headers but that will all happen in the next 24 hours,” ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys said.

“Rugby league is a dysfunctional family but when there is a crisis, we all come together. This is a classic case where we have all come together. We have not had one detractor, not one.

“We’re all together, we’re in the trench and I can’t ask for more than that. The important figure for us is how many people infected were out in the community.

“It’s when they get to zero on that we have any hope (of returning to normalcy). In the time we have had, they have done a great job the staff.

“I think we have made the right decision and a timely decision.”

The NRL had initially hoped to have families undergo quarantine in the same hotel as the players but the Queensland government insisted they would need to be housed separately. They are expected to fly to Queensland on Saturday.

Once the two-week quarantine period is over, the players and their families will be free to integrate into the community. As the NRL conducted high level talks with the Queensland government, the clubs were furiously completing preparations for nearly 500 players and staff to fly north on Wednesday.

“I know a lot of the boys are talking like that this morning when coming through the doors that we‘re being paid good money and we’ve got a job to do,” Newcastle halfback Mitchell Pearce said.

“There’s a lot of gratitude for the fact we get paid to do what we love, which if you ask any player in the NRL we live a privileged life in that regard.”

The cost of relocation for the clubs is going to prohibitive and there is a school of thought that it will come at the cost of expansion, at least in the short term.

Abdo gave the game’s expansion aspirants hope that their pursuit of the 17th licence remained on track despite the financial challenges confronting head office.

The ARL Commission had planned to turn their mind to expansion in the latter stages of last week but the escalating Covid concerns in Sydney meant those discussions were put on the backburner.

With Covid-19 still wreaking havoc with the competition – the third State of Origin game was moved to Newcastle and 12 clubs have been relocated to Queensland – there had been speculation that the commission’s move to a 17-team competition would be delayed by 12 months or more.

Certainly the existing clubs have become increasingly concerned about the prospect of expansion in the current environment. The three bidding parties – Redcliffe, the Brisbane Firehawks and the Brisbane Jets – were due to front the commission a fortnight ago but those presentations were delayed until later this month.

It is understood they are yet to hear when they will get their chance to speak to the commissioners, but there is a growing sense that there is no real rush given the financial impact on the existing clubs bought about by Covid-19.

Abdo insists no decision has been made and a final call on a 17th team will be made with the game’s future as much as its present in mind.

“Expansion is a long-term proportion and it needs to create value in the long term,” Abdo said.
“While we are laser-focused on keeping the competition going right now, we are also focused on the medium term and long term.

“So the consideration on whether or not it is feasible whether it creates value and what does expansion look like, is still absolutely on the work plan and the agenda.

“I will need to take direction from the commission on timelines and adjusting timelines, but nothing has been decided at this point.”