TOWNSVILLE STILL IN PLAY TO HOST IF FINALE IS DELAYED
TOWNSVILLE has again reemerged as a potential host of the NRL grand final but only if the match is delayed by a week.
The NRL is at the mercy of the Queensland government with a raft of contingency plans in place in case Brisbane is forced into a snap lockdown.
As it stands, the NRL remain confident the match will go ahead at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. Capacity has been cut to 75 per cent but as long as the venue can hold at least 50 per cent of people, the NRL are prepared for the game to be played on Sunday. “We’re still confident it will be in Brisbane,” V’landys said. “As long as the next two days have been like they were on Friday. Going ahead at 75 per cent capacity is our preferred option. We do not want to play with no crowds because that is not a grand final. We’re on tenterhooks until we get it all confirmed.” Queensland had two Covid-19 cases on Friday. Already crowd capacity has been cut by 25 per cent, meaning the 52,000 sellout crowd will now be reduced to 39,000. If that number is to be capped at 26,000 then the NRL will delay the grand final.