Sunshine for Storm if COVID persists

MELBOURNE bosses have begun investigating the prospect of the Storm relocating to Queensland for the 2021 season due to the ongoing COVID saga.

The Storm shifted to the Sunshine Coast in July following the mass COVID outbreak in Victoria and there was always a hope the pandemic would clear in time for Melbourne to return home for next season.

But Storm coach Craig Bellamy says there is a possibility Melbourne could be back in Queensland after Christmas if the COVID situation in Victoria fails to remain stable in the coming months.

Storm hierarchy have discussed giving the squad an extended break after this year’s finals series ahead of a potential return to the Sunshine Coast for next year’s premiership.

Asked if f M e l b o u r n e could be back in Queensland in 2021, Bellamy ( pictured) said: “We are concentrating on the rest of this year but I’ve given it a glancing thought that it might happen.

“Hierarchy has started a little bit of planning so it (another relocation) doesn’t take everyone by surprise.

“There is a push for everybody to not do any training before Christmas so everyone in the bubble can go out and live a normal life for a little bit and then we will start up again after Christmas.

“It could be that we do our (2021) pre-season up here (on the Sunshine Coast).

“There’s a lot of moving parts to it so a lot will depend on what happens in Melbourne. We will wait until after the season and see where the COVID situation is and if a move is looking likely, then we will have to start some planning.”

While the COVID saga has been a challenge for Storm players, officials and their families, Melbourne have relished the hospitality at Twin Waters and the relaxed Queensland lifestyle.