Maroon homes tipped for nod

QUEENSLAND NRL clubs are expected to get the green light today from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to restart their 2020 season campaigns on home soil.

But the NRL is awaiting confirmation from its players that they will front for training on Monday as the game deals with a brand new pay dispute.

The Rugby League Players' Association yesterday confirmed it wanted more information around players’ pay and other welfare issues ahead of the May 28 resumption.

The players were due to go to clubs on Monday for the first time since the season was suspended on March 23. But that is now in doubt as the NRL scrambles to satisfy the players’ demands.

Brisbane Broncos, North Queensland Cowboys and Gold Coast Titans have contingency plans to relocate to NSW if the Government bans them from commencing training or playing in Queensland.

But the contingencies – Cowboys based at Sydney’s Olympic Park, Broncos at Kingscliff and Titans at Tweed Heads – are not expected to be needed, with Palaszczuk tipped to approve the NRL to restart in Queensland today.

Cowboys football chief Peter Parr said the club had to be prepared for every scenario.

“We have to plan for being either here or Sydney,” he said.

“It’s not ideal but it is a possibility, so we are planning for it.

“We’re hopeful the Government has enough information from the NRL to see it fit for us to stay in Townsville.”

The players have received guidance they will be paid 80 per cent of their total 2020 salaries, but the NRL is yet to strike a new broadcast deal with its television partners.

Parr said at this stage he was expecting Cowboys players to report to the club on Monday.

“I haven’t been told otherwise but that’s a matter for the RLPA and NRL,” he said.

“We’ve never been through something like this before and hopefully we never will again.

“Everybody is doing their best. The NRL is doing their best, the RLPA, players, clubs. There is no manual for what we’re going through.

“We’ll see how everything pans out and hopefully it all comes together.”

The first day of preparations on Monday was scheduled to include an information session about the biosecurity protocols the NRL is implementing for the season resumption.

The RLPA is yet to agree to the final terms, presenting another roadblock to the season kicking off on May 28.