Anti-vax stance to cost Titans their spots
GOLD Coast Titans coach Justin Holbrook has admitted anti-vaxxers Bryce Cartwright and Brian Kelly are likely to be dropped after missing crucial preparation time for the NRL season relaunch.
Cartwright and Kelly were embroiled in controversy last week after they refused to receive influenza vaccinations as part of the NRL’s return-toplay agreement with the Queensland Government.
They were stood down for a week before Kelly ultimately received the vaccination and Cartwright was granted an exemption on medical grounds.
They were the only players at Queensland’s three NRL clubs to be stood down amid the flu-jab saga.
With less than three weeks to go before the restart of the season, Cartwright and Kelly have missed a crucial chunk of training due to their stance.
After playing for the Titans in the opening two games of the season, both will miss out on the starting side for next Friday night’s game against the Cowboys in Townsville and are likely to be dropped entirely.
“They’re fully right and not injured but Bryce has missed a full week and Brian missed the week before as well, so he’s missed two weeks,” Holbrook said. “We haven’t had a big window of training with three weeks (to prepare).
“Brian has missed two weeks of training because the first week he had a toothache and had to get a tooth out, then missed a few sessions. He’s probably two weeks behind.
“It makes it a bit harder for them. They trained while they were off. Bryce trained really hard, so he’s not a million miles off where the group’s at.
“They’ll definitely come into play, but whether or not they’ll be right for the game, I’m not sure yet – we’ll see how next week pans out.”