|
Melbourne's home Good Friday NRL clash against Brisbane will be played at AAMI Park after the Victorian government granted the Broncos a travel exemption. The Broncos are in Sydney having rushed out of Queensland before greater Brisbane went into a three-day lockdown on Monday due to a COVID-19 outbreak. There were concerns Friday night's game would have to be relocated due to restrictions on travellers into Victoria from declared hotspots but the Storm confirmed on Wednesday the match would be played as planned. "Thankfully, the NRL have worked through the protocols required to ensure the Broncos can secure an exemption and the game can proceed," Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said.  AAMI Park will also continue to operate at 75 per cent capacity for the match. Broncos coach Kevin Walters said preparations had not been overly disrupted by their relocation, with the team allowed to train and undertake gym sessions. However, when players and staff are not completing those activities they are restricted to their hotel rooms. Walters said with new cases still emerging in Queensland, the Broncos are preparing themselves for a potentially long stay on the road. "They told us, be prepared, pack for two weeks," Walters told SEN Radio. "That hasn't changed, it's probably looking a little bit longer at this stage with what's going on in Brisbane at the moment with COVID. "The good thing is the game will go ahead and that's the most important thing for our players and also for the rugby league community, is the game continues, and we're doing everything we can to play our part in that." Meanwhile, the NRL has put Gold Coast on standby for their home clash with Canberra at CBUS Super Stadium on Saturday. While that match is going ahead as planned at this stage, the Titans have been told to be ready to join the Broncos in an interstate exit if Queensland's situation worsens or the lockdown is extended to the Gold Coast. NRL officials are also in discussions to finalise what will happen with Cronulla's match against North Queensland on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
|
