Isolation friction hits NRL
THE Gold Coast Titans have expressed concern for the mental health of their players if they are ordered to go into self-isolation in Sydney.
The NRL fraternity is sweating on one of the important meetings in rugby league history tomorrow, when the innovation committee will formalise a plan to overcome the COVID-19 saga and revive the season sometime this year.
The committee will thrash out a number of options to expedite the return of the NRL, possibly as early as May 21.
They include playing more games in Queensland as part of a two-conference system, or asking all 16 clubs to lock down in western Sydney, with 480 players to enter a 14-day selfisolation program in individual rooms.
But NRL sources have told the Bulletin the idea of shifting the entire competition into a Homebush lockdown has major challenges – not least engendering the support of the three Queensland clubs.
All three Queensland clubs, including Gold Coast, Brisbane and North Queensland, have voiced their desire to stay in the state.
Titans chief executive Steve Mitchell urged the NRL to keep his squad on the Gold Coast.
“If there is a way to get the competition going again which is reasonable for all stakeholders and won’t expose any of our players to risk, then we will push forward with it,” he said.
“We would prefer to remain here bunkered down close to home and continue as it is.
“Relocation players adds a level of strain to our players and staff.
“Being self-isolated for 14 days is a tough ask for the players. I know a few people who have done it and it takes some real mental resilience. To do it with 400 players in one location would have its challenges, but we’ll explore the models put forward.
“Conferences seem to make sense on face value, but making it work is the issue especially when there’s government restrictions in place.
“I’m looking forward to the committee meeting (today) to get some clarity. We want to play but we need to do it within the realms of safety.”
Cowboys chief executive Jeff Reibel says he is concerned about the welfare of North Queensland players if they forced to leave their families behind to enter Sydney self-isolation.
“We will listen to all options, naturally, but our preference is to stay in Queensland,” he said.
Brisbane boss Paul White believes Queensland is the perfect option to host a nonSydney conference should they be able to.