NRL news: Melbourne Storm gives NRL glimpse into vaccination future

The Melbourne Storm have asked the NRL for some clarity after the Victorian government mandated vaccinations for professional sportspeople, which will become a huge issue for the game.

Most of the Storm squad has had one Covid vaccination. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

The NRL’s vaccination policy is set to be a running story through the off-season.

Head office don’t need any reminder of the delicate nature of the situation but they got one anyway when the Victorian government ruled that professional athletes needed to be vaccinated to return to training.

The decision threatened to have significant ramifications for the Storm — and potentially the wider competition — amid concerns that two of their biggest stars were reluctant to get the jab.

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Most of the Storm squad has had at least one vaccination but club sources confirmed at least two of their high-profile players have raised concerns.

So worried were the Storm, chair Matt Tripp reached out to the NRL to try to get some guidance on their plans a vaccination policy.

Most of the Storm squad has had at least one Covid vaccination. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Essentially, Tripp wanted to know whether the NRL planned to mandate vaccinations, which would mean the Storm would not have been disadvantaged.

The NRL has consistently said they will not make vaccination compulsory — they believe the state governments will do it for them — and it is believed that was the response Tripp was given from head office.

It means that as things stand, the Storm will be forced to exist under a different set of rules to every other club given the Victorian government’s position.

It is destined to become a huge issue in coming months as players return to training and are confronted by the prospect of working under a different set of rules if they are not vaccinated.

As an aside, the street corner tip is that all players and officials will be forced to undergo rapid antigen testing before entering venues next season to ensure they aren’t carrying Covid-19

“We have some players who are not that interested in vaccinations,” Tripp told Weekend Read. “If it is forced on them then they may fall into line. But the only parity we can get is if the NRL make it mandatory.”

Storm chief executive Justin Rodski added: “All of our players are aware of their responsibilities. We expect that they will be fully vaccinated by the time they return to pre-season training.”

Under the Victorian government rules, Storm players and officials who have not been vaccinated are prevented from entering their AAMI Park base. The good news for Melbourne is that the two players have since softened their stances and are likely to get the jab.

Regardless, a warning shot has been fired across the bow of the NRL.

Gambling pays off for NRL

The NRL announced a $50 million surplus to the clubs this week and the immediate reaction from their critics was that it was largely due to last year’s State of Origin series being factored into this year’s accounts.

There’s no doubt it helped. Origin was a raging success at the end of last year and the NRL was able to enjoy the benefits of taking the show on the road — they were given a healthy multimillion-dollar fee by the South Australian government to play one game in Adelaide.

All up, the additional Origin revenue was worth about $20 million.

State of Origin at the end of last year was a big winner for the NRL. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

However, the biggest jump for the NRL was in gambling.

It is understood the game earned as much as $40 million in gambling revenue this year, more than doubling their previous figures.

ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys, a man who knows the gambling landscape as well as anyone, has played a significant role in generating the extra cash for the game.

It is understood Melbourne storm chair Matt Tripp is also working with head office to help them generate extra cash at a time when every dollar counts.

Patience growing thin with Walker

Manly are fast running out of patience with Dylan Walker as they wait to hear whether the former NSW and Australian star will accept a two-year contract extension from the club.

The Sea Eagles tabled a new offer to Walker some weeks ago but his management has been scouring the NRL, hoping to score a better deal.

The Wests Tigers are believed to be among the clubs that have been sounded out given they have money to spend for next year and coach Michael Maguire knows the 27-year-old as well as anyone, having coached Walker when the par were both at South Sydney.

It is understood the Tigers were willing to consider Walker as a centre but the player himself has enjoyed life in the middle of the field and believes that is where his future lays.

The clock is ticking. Manly won’t wait around forever.

Dylan Walker finished the season in impressive form at Manly.

Souths and Penrith at war

Relations between Penrith and South Sydney have descended rapidly in the aftermath to the grand final.

Rabbitohs officials and players weren’t impressed with the way forward Jai Arrow was given a serve when he left the field for a head injury assessment during the grand final.

Then footage emerged of Viliame Kikau taunting the Rabbitohs by singing “Glory, Glory to South Sydney” this week. Mental notes have been made.

The next time the sides meet it will be willing.

“They haven’t shown a lot of humility,” one Rabbitohs insider said.

“But pride comes before the fall.”

Souths Jai Arrow will be keen for a rematch against the Panthers next year.

Forward pass trial for women

The NRL is still intent on trialing forward pass technology at some point next season and the women’s premiership has emerged as a surprise contender to host the trial.

The NRL head been keen to trial it at some point this season, either in lower grades or in a training session. Covid-19 put paid to that because the technology involved and the experts required were based overseas.

However the NRL hasn’t gave up on the technology yet and plans are afoot to trial it in the pre-season next year. Weekend Read understands the NRL may consider using the women’s premiership to see whether the technology is up to scratch.

Clamour for Jets’ brother

The younger brother of Wests Tigers star Jimmy Roberts is at the centre of the tug-of-war involving as many as five clubs.

Michael Roberts is a fullback-half with Palm Beach Currumbin on the Gold Coast. He has another year left on his agreement with the Titans but rival clubs are circling and have made it clear they will make a play for the 17-year-old on November 1.

“He has all types of clubs calling,” Roberts’ manager Michael Perata said.

“He is a great kid. He has another year to go at school and I think that is the most important thing — getting him through school.

“There’s at least five (clubs) that have inquired about his status.”