‘Long, long time’ away Storm’s reality
MELBOURNE Storm will play its next three “home” games on the Sunshine Coast as players prepare to be holed up in their resort accommodation for a “long time”.
Storm relocated to the Sunshine Coast as the COVID-19 crisis escalated in Melbourne.
The latest six-week lockdown makes their return unlikely before the end of August.
The Sunshine Coast Stadium has become the club’s new training base, and the Storm has been successful in lobbying to use the ground for three games beginning with the Round 10 clash against the Titans.
Melbourne will also play Newcastle in Round 12 and the Bulldogs in Round 13.
A stadium capacity of 6000 has been set for at least the initial match under Queensland’s COVID rules.
“The squad has transitioned extremely well to the coast and they’re very much looking forward to making Sunshine Coast Stadium home for our next three allocated home matches,” Storm CEO Dave Donaghy said.
The NRL has told Melbourne no one can return to Victoria until 28 days after COVID-19 numbers subside.
Storm has 55 players and staff in the “bubble” at the Twin Waters resort and more than 20 partners and 30 children living at the hub.
A second wave of partners and children are in Mooloolaba completing a mandatory 14-day quarantine period.
Melbourne forward Christian Welch said everyone had begun to come to terms with a long stay in Queensland.
“I think that’s just a reality we need to consider,” he said.
“The way Victoria is sadly going, it’s not looking good. I think we are going to be here for a long, long time.”