Corona impact on NRL...?

[WT2K]

Reading/watching a few things tonight.. conferences seem to be getting a push

 

[happy_tiger]

Reading/watching a few things tonight.. conferences seem to be getting a push

Just going to be hard to keep every player safe for 7 more weeks

 

[WT2K]

Reading/watching a few things tonight.. conferences seem to be getting a push

Just going to be hard to keep every player safe for 7 more weeks

Then there's the warriors issue. No idea how they'll get around that

 

[TheDaBoss]

cant access atm but

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/sponsor-says-nrl-run-like-charity-danny-weidler/67c3654e-0a51-410e-add9-8d030e972397

 

[momo_amp_medo]

June cant come quick enough.....

Dreaming.

 

[WT2K]

From Michael Chammas - SMH

The NRL has 15 days to produce a blueprint for what is being described as "the safest place on earth", with the immediate future of the game set to be decided at a commission meeting on April 21.

Members of the league’s innovation committee will meet with its new infectious disease expert on Monday to continue plans around building up to four "bubble" communities being designed in an attempt to play the first game of round three on May 28.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys have just over a fortnight before they present to the commission when a decision will be reached around the start date and structure of a competition that could kick-off as early as the end of next month.

‘‘We’ve got some of the game’s best minds around the table under the stewardship of commissioner Wayne Pearce,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘They have all been tasked with coming up with different solutions and opportunities for the game to consider. We will also need to consult independent medical and biosecurity experts. That work has already started and we’ll be progressing again this week, ultimately to provide a report for Peter and I to take to the commission in the middle of April.’’

If a decision is reached at the ARLC meeting on April 21, it’s likely teams will be granted permission to return to training the following week from April 27. That would give clubs a four-week mini pre-season before the week leading into the return of the season on Thursday, May 28.

While some consideration had been given to staging the competition in country regions like the Hunter, Mudgee and Dubbo, the distance to the nearest testing and results facilities have all but killed off those plans.

There is strong merit to accommodating players at four different hubs within one big bubble, with Kingscliff, Gold Coast and Brisbane all being discussed as part of a master plan to play matches in south-east Queensland.

The NRL is working with the Queensland government to gain an exemption – similar to the one NSW signed off on last week – that would allow the state to host all 16 teams. Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth, but one NRL innovation committee member is promising the bubble will be ‘‘the safest place on earth’’ in regards to avoiding COVID-19.

It’s expected quarantine stations will be set up within accommodation facilities to isolate players who show even the slightest symptoms to minimise the risk of spread. The NRL will also seek military advice, likening the project of having to isolate players from the community and their families to long-term deployment of navy sailors.

‘‘If one of the conferences goes down with the virus, then you’ll isolate that conference for a number of weeks, then you try and figure out how you make those games up whilst not stopping the competition,’’ Greenberg said.

‘‘We have all that modelled. You can be assured that we’ve figured out how many five-day turn-arounds it would be and how many mid-week games you’d need to make up games.’’

NRL to go hard for Warriors

The NRL has opened discussions with the New Zealand government and is hellbent on the Warriors being on deck for the start of the anticipated season return.

While Greenberg was adamant the game would do everything in its power to ensure the Warriors were exempted from travel restrictions in New Zealand and Australia, he admitted the NRL would have to go on without them in a 15-team competition should the governing body fail.

‘‘We could play without them, but we don’t want to,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘We want to play a competition with all 16 clubs. We’ll be working hard on the Warriors behalf with government on both sides of the Tasman to make sure they can play a part in 2020. We’ll be doing everything possible to ensure the season is played in its full capacity with all teams, and that includes the Warriors. That’s for two reasons. One, we want the competition to be pure. But two, to genuinely reflect the sacrifices they made earlier in the year.’’

The Warriors players haven’t been able to leave their homes, except for an hour of exercise per day, since they returned from Australia two weeks ago. Their 14-day isolation ends on Wednesday, however, New Zealand’s national lockdown means they can only go to the supermarket for essentials.

League to up heat on broadcasters

With the NRL eyeing a return within the next six to eight weeks, the governing body is bracing itself for some robust negotiations with broadcasters in the coming weeks over whether the product is worth what they signed for.

The NRL will this week meet with Channel Nine, Fox Sports and Sky Sports (New Zealand) for talks. Both Channel Nine, the publisher of this masthead, and Fox Sports failed to make their quarterly broadcast payment on April 1.

The NRL has heard the rumblings – that it’s not great viewing without a crowd. Equally, the NRL will argue it has held up its end of the bargain and provided the content it promised in the contract. In the only round played behind closed doors, the overall numbers were down on round one – which was played with crowds. Channel Nine’s numbers were down but Fox experienced an increase from the previous week.

 

[happy_tiger]

From Michael Chammas - SMH

The NRL has 15 days to produce a blueprint for what is being described as "the safest place on earth", with the immediate future of the game set to be decided at a commission meeting on April 21.

Members of the league’s innovation committee will meet with its new infectious disease expert on Monday to continue plans around building up to four "bubble" communities being designed in an attempt to play the first game of round three on May 28.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys have just over a fortnight before they present to the commission when a decision will be reached around the start date and structure of a competition that could kick-off as early as the end of next month.

‘‘We’ve got some of the game’s best minds around the table under the stewardship of commissioner Wayne Pearce,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘They have all been tasked with coming up with different solutions and opportunities for the game to consider. We will also need to consult independent medical and biosecurity experts. That work has already started and we’ll be progressing again this week, ultimately to provide a report for Peter and I to take to the commission in the middle of April.’’

If a decision is reached at the ARLC meeting on April 21, it’s likely teams will be granted permission to return to training the following week from April 27. That would give clubs a four-week mini pre-season before the week leading into the return of the season on Thursday, May 28.

While some consideration had been given to staging the competition in country regions like the Hunter, Mudgee and Dubbo, the distance to the nearest testing and results facilities have all but killed off those plans.

There is strong merit to accommodating players at four different hubs within one big bubble, with Kingscliff, Gold Coast and Brisbane all being discussed as part of a master plan to play matches in south-east Queensland.

The NRL is working with the Queensland government to gain an exemption – similar to the one NSW signed off on last week – that would allow the state to host all 16 teams. Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth, but one NRL innovation committee member is promising the bubble will be ‘‘the safest place on earth’’ in regards to avoiding COVID-19.

It’s expected quarantine stations will be set up within accommodation facilities to isolate players who show even the slightest symptoms to minimise the risk of spread. The NRL will also seek military advice, likening the project of having to isolate players from the community and their families to long-term deployment of navy sailors.

‘‘If one of the conferences goes down with the virus, then you’ll isolate that conference for a number of weeks, then you try and figure out how you make those games up whilst not stopping the competition,’’ Greenberg said.

‘‘We have all that modelled. You can be assured that we’ve figured out how many five-day turn-arounds it would be and how many mid-week games you’d need to make up games.’’

NRL to go hard for Warriors

The NRL has opened discussions with the New Zealand government and is hellbent on the Warriors being on deck for the start of the anticipated season return.

While Greenberg was adamant the game would do everything in its power to ensure the Warriors were exempted from travel restrictions in New Zealand and Australia, he admitted the NRL would have to go on without them in a 15-team competition should the governing body fail.

‘‘We could play without them, but we don’t want to,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘We want to play a competition with all 16 clubs. We’ll be working hard on the Warriors behalf with government on both sides of the Tasman to make sure they can play a part in 2020. We’ll be doing everything possible to ensure the season is played in its full capacity with all teams, and that includes the Warriors. That’s for two reasons. One, we want the competition to be pure. But two, to genuinely reflect the sacrifices they made earlier in the year.’’

The Warriors players haven’t been able to leave their homes, except for an hour of exercise per day, since they returned from Australia two weeks ago. Their 14-day isolation ends on Wednesday, however, New Zealand’s national lockdown means they can only go to the supermarket for essentials.

League to up heat on broadcasters

With the NRL eyeing a return within the next six to eight weeks, the governing body is bracing itself for some robust negotiations with broadcasters in the coming weeks over whether the product is worth what they signed for.

The NRL will this week meet with Channel Nine, Fox Sports and Sky Sports (New Zealand) for talks. Both Channel Nine, the publisher of this masthead, and Fox Sports failed to make their quarterly broadcast payment on April 1.

The NRL has heard the rumblings – that it’s not great viewing without a crowd. Equally, the NRL will argue it has held up its end of the bargain and provided the content it promised in the contract. In the only round played behind closed doors, the overall numbers were down on round one – which was played with crowds. Channel Nine’s numbers were down but Fox experienced an increase from the previous week.

Seriously Fox , Ch 9 and Sky we would happily watch cockroaches racing as long as they were in NRL jerseys

Fans no fans pfffft ..give us a game to watch you bronze nuggets and pay up

Hope Vlandy's and Co remember CH 9 reactions during this while they give them the bird and hand the rights over to the ABC

 

[hobbo1]

From Michael Chammas - SMH

The NRL has 15 days to produce a blueprint for what is being described as "the safest place on earth", with the immediate future of the game set to be decided at a commission meeting on April 21.

Members of the league’s innovation committee will meet with its new infectious disease expert on Monday to continue plans around building up to four "bubble" communities being designed in an attempt to play the first game of round three on May 28.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys have just over a fortnight before they present to the commission when a decision will be reached around the start date and structure of a competition that could kick-off as early as the end of next month.

‘‘We’ve got some of the game’s best minds around the table under the stewardship of commissioner Wayne Pearce,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘They have all been tasked with coming up with different solutions and opportunities for the game to consider. We will also need to consult independent medical and biosecurity experts. That work has already started and we’ll be progressing again this week, ultimately to provide a report for Peter and I to take to the commission in the middle of April.’’

If a decision is reached at the ARLC meeting on April 21, it’s likely teams will be granted permission to return to training the following week from April 27. That would give clubs a four-week mini pre-season before the week leading into the return of the season on Thursday, May 28.

While some consideration had been given to staging the competition in country regions like the Hunter, Mudgee and Dubbo, the distance to the nearest testing and results facilities have all but killed off those plans.

There is strong merit to accommodating players at four different hubs within one big bubble, with Kingscliff, Gold Coast and Brisbane all being discussed as part of a master plan to play matches in south-east Queensland.

The NRL is working with the Queensland government to gain an exemption – similar to the one NSW signed off on last week – that would allow the state to host all 16 teams. Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth, but one NRL innovation committee member is promising the bubble will be ‘‘the safest place on earth’’ in regards to avoiding COVID-19.

It’s expected quarantine stations will be set up within accommodation facilities to isolate players who show even the slightest symptoms to minimise the risk of spread. The NRL will also seek military advice, likening the project of having to isolate players from the community and their families to long-term deployment of navy sailors.

‘‘If one of the conferences goes down with the virus, then you’ll isolate that conference for a number of weeks, then you try and figure out how you make those games up whilst not stopping the competition,’’ Greenberg said.

‘‘We have all that modelled. You can be assured that we’ve figured out how many five-day turn-arounds it would be and how many mid-week games you’d need to make up games.’’

NRL to go hard for Warriors

The NRL has opened discussions with the New Zealand government and is hellbent on the Warriors being on deck for the start of the anticipated season return.

While Greenberg was adamant the game would do everything in its power to ensure the Warriors were exempted from travel restrictions in New Zealand and Australia, he admitted the NRL would have to go on without them in a 15-team competition should the governing body fail.

‘‘We could play without them, but we don’t want to,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘We want to play a competition with all 16 clubs. We’ll be working hard on the Warriors behalf with government on both sides of the Tasman to make sure they can play a part in 2020. We’ll be doing everything possible to ensure the season is played in its full capacity with all teams, and that includes the Warriors. That’s for two reasons. One, we want the competition to be pure. But two, to genuinely reflect the sacrifices they made earlier in the year.’’

The Warriors players haven’t been able to leave their homes, except for an hour of exercise per day, since they returned from Australia two weeks ago. Their 14-day isolation ends on Wednesday, however, New Zealand’s national lockdown means they can only go to the supermarket for essentials.

League to up heat on broadcasters

With the NRL eyeing a return within the next six to eight weeks, the governing body is bracing itself for some robust negotiations with broadcasters in the coming weeks over whether the product is worth what they signed for.

The NRL will this week meet with Channel Nine, Fox Sports and Sky Sports (New Zealand) for talks. Both Channel Nine, the publisher of this masthead, and Fox Sports failed to make their quarterly broadcast payment on April 1.

The NRL has heard the rumblings – that it’s not great viewing without a crowd. Equally, the NRL will argue it has held up its end of the bargain and provided the content it promised in the contract. In the only round played behind closed doors, the overall numbers were down on round one – which was played with crowds. Channel Nine’s numbers were down but Fox experienced an increase from the previous week.

Seriously Fox , Ch 9 and Sky we would happily watch cockroaches racing as long as they were in NRL jerseys

Fans no fans pfffft ..give us a game to watch you bronze nuggets and pay up

Hope Vlandy's and Co remember CH 9 reactions during this while they give them the bird and hand the rights over to the ABC

Is that you Mr Morrow ?

 

[happy_tiger]

From Michael Chammas - SMH

The NRL has 15 days to produce a blueprint for what is being described as "the safest place on earth", with the immediate future of the game set to be decided at a commission meeting on April 21.

Members of the league’s innovation committee will meet with its new infectious disease expert on Monday to continue plans around building up to four "bubble" communities being designed in an attempt to play the first game of round three on May 28.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys have just over a fortnight before they present to the commission when a decision will be reached around the start date and structure of a competition that could kick-off as early as the end of next month.

‘‘We’ve got some of the game’s best minds around the table under the stewardship of commissioner Wayne Pearce,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘They have all been tasked with coming up with different solutions and opportunities for the game to consider. We will also need to consult independent medical and biosecurity experts. That work has already started and we’ll be progressing again this week, ultimately to provide a report for Peter and I to take to the commission in the middle of April.’’

If a decision is reached at the ARLC meeting on April 21, it’s likely teams will be granted permission to return to training the following week from April 27. That would give clubs a four-week mini pre-season before the week leading into the return of the season on Thursday, May 28.

While some consideration had been given to staging the competition in country regions like the Hunter, Mudgee and Dubbo, the distance to the nearest testing and results facilities have all but killed off those plans.

There is strong merit to accommodating players at four different hubs within one big bubble, with Kingscliff, Gold Coast and Brisbane all being discussed as part of a master plan to play matches in south-east Queensland.

The NRL is working with the Queensland government to gain an exemption – similar to the one NSW signed off on last week – that would allow the state to host all 16 teams. Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth, but one NRL innovation committee member is promising the bubble will be ‘‘the safest place on earth’’ in regards to avoiding COVID-19.

It’s expected quarantine stations will be set up within accommodation facilities to isolate players who show even the slightest symptoms to minimise the risk of spread. The NRL will also seek military advice, likening the project of having to isolate players from the community and their families to long-term deployment of navy sailors.

‘‘If one of the conferences goes down with the virus, then you’ll isolate that conference for a number of weeks, then you try and figure out how you make those games up whilst not stopping the competition,’’ Greenberg said.

‘‘We have all that modelled. You can be assured that we’ve figured out how many five-day turn-arounds it would be and how many mid-week games you’d need to make up games.’’

NRL to go hard for Warriors

The NRL has opened discussions with the New Zealand government and is hellbent on the Warriors being on deck for the start of the anticipated season return.

While Greenberg was adamant the game would do everything in its power to ensure the Warriors were exempted from travel restrictions in New Zealand and Australia, he admitted the NRL would have to go on without them in a 15-team competition should the governing body fail.

‘‘We could play without them, but we don’t want to,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘We want to play a competition with all 16 clubs. We’ll be working hard on the Warriors behalf with government on both sides of the Tasman to make sure they can play a part in 2020. We’ll be doing everything possible to ensure the season is played in its full capacity with all teams, and that includes the Warriors. That’s for two reasons. One, we want the competition to be pure. But two, to genuinely reflect the sacrifices they made earlier in the year.’’

The Warriors players haven’t been able to leave their homes, except for an hour of exercise per day, since they returned from Australia two weeks ago. Their 14-day isolation ends on Wednesday, however, New Zealand’s national lockdown means they can only go to the supermarket for essentials.

League to up heat on broadcasters

With the NRL eyeing a return within the next six to eight weeks, the governing body is bracing itself for some robust negotiations with broadcasters in the coming weeks over whether the product is worth what they signed for.

The NRL will this week meet with Channel Nine, Fox Sports and Sky Sports (New Zealand) for talks. Both Channel Nine, the publisher of this masthead, and Fox Sports failed to make their quarterly broadcast payment on April 1.

The NRL has heard the rumblings – that it’s not great viewing without a crowd. Equally, the NRL will argue it has held up its end of the bargain and provided the content it promised in the contract. In the only round played behind closed doors, the overall numbers were down on round one – which was played with crowds. Channel Nine’s numbers were down but Fox experienced an increase from the previous week.

Seriously Fox , Ch 9 and Sky we would happily watch cockroaches racing as long as they were in NRL jerseys

Fans no fans pfffft ..give us a game to watch you bronze nuggets and pay up

Hope Vlandy's and Co remember CH 9 reactions during this while they give them the bird and hand the rights over to the ABC

Is that you Mr Morrow ?

It could be SBS ......anyone bar Ch 9

 

[hobbo1]

From Michael Chammas - SMH

The NRL has 15 days to produce a blueprint for what is being described as "the safest place on earth", with the immediate future of the game set to be decided at a commission meeting on April 21.

Members of the league’s innovation committee will meet with its new infectious disease expert on Monday to continue plans around building up to four "bubble" communities being designed in an attempt to play the first game of round three on May 28.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys have just over a fortnight before they present to the commission when a decision will be reached around the start date and structure of a competition that could kick-off as early as the end of next month.

‘‘We’ve got some of the game’s best minds around the table under the stewardship of commissioner Wayne Pearce,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘They have all been tasked with coming up with different solutions and opportunities for the game to consider. We will also need to consult independent medical and biosecurity experts. That work has already started and we’ll be progressing again this week, ultimately to provide a report for Peter and I to take to the commission in the middle of April.’’

If a decision is reached at the ARLC meeting on April 21, it’s likely teams will be granted permission to return to training the following week from April 27. That would give clubs a four-week mini pre-season before the week leading into the return of the season on Thursday, May 28.

While some consideration had been given to staging the competition in country regions like the Hunter, Mudgee and Dubbo, the distance to the nearest testing and results facilities have all but killed off those plans.

There is strong merit to accommodating players at four different hubs within one big bubble, with Kingscliff, Gold Coast and Brisbane all being discussed as part of a master plan to play matches in south-east Queensland.

The NRL is working with the Queensland government to gain an exemption – similar to the one NSW signed off on last week – that would allow the state to host all 16 teams. Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth, but one NRL innovation committee member is promising the bubble will be ‘‘the safest place on earth’’ in regards to avoiding COVID-19.

It’s expected quarantine stations will be set up within accommodation facilities to isolate players who show even the slightest symptoms to minimise the risk of spread. The NRL will also seek military advice, likening the project of having to isolate players from the community and their families to long-term deployment of navy sailors.

‘‘If one of the conferences goes down with the virus, then you’ll isolate that conference for a number of weeks, then you try and figure out how you make those games up whilst not stopping the competition,’’ Greenberg said.

‘‘We have all that modelled. You can be assured that we’ve figured out how many five-day turn-arounds it would be and how many mid-week games you’d need to make up games.’’

NRL to go hard for Warriors

The NRL has opened discussions with the New Zealand government and is hellbent on the Warriors being on deck for the start of the anticipated season return.

While Greenberg was adamant the game would do everything in its power to ensure the Warriors were exempted from travel restrictions in New Zealand and Australia, he admitted the NRL would have to go on without them in a 15-team competition should the governing body fail.

‘‘We could play without them, but we don’t want to,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘We want to play a competition with all 16 clubs. We’ll be working hard on the Warriors behalf with government on both sides of the Tasman to make sure they can play a part in 2020. We’ll be doing everything possible to ensure the season is played in its full capacity with all teams, and that includes the Warriors. That’s for two reasons. One, we want the competition to be pure. But two, to genuinely reflect the sacrifices they made earlier in the year.’’

The Warriors players haven’t been able to leave their homes, except for an hour of exercise per day, since they returned from Australia two weeks ago. Their 14-day isolation ends on Wednesday, however, New Zealand’s national lockdown means they can only go to the supermarket for essentials.

League to up heat on broadcasters

With the NRL eyeing a return within the next six to eight weeks, the governing body is bracing itself for some robust negotiations with broadcasters in the coming weeks over whether the product is worth what they signed for.

The NRL will this week meet with Channel Nine, Fox Sports and Sky Sports (New Zealand) for talks. Both Channel Nine, the publisher of this masthead, and Fox Sports failed to make their quarterly broadcast payment on April 1.

The NRL has heard the rumblings – that it’s not great viewing without a crowd. Equally, the NRL will argue it has held up its end of the bargain and provided the content it promised in the contract. In the only round played behind closed doors, the overall numbers were down on round one – which was played with crowds. Channel Nine’s numbers were down but Fox experienced an increase from the previous week.

Seriously Fox , Ch 9 and Sky we would happily watch cockroaches racing as long as they were in NRL jerseys

Fans no fans pfffft ..give us a game to watch you bronze nuggets and pay up

Hope Vlandy's and Co remember CH 9 reactions during this while they give them the bird and hand the rights over to the ABC

Is that you Mr Morrow ?

It could be SBS ......anyone bar Ch 9

Yeah 9 are flogs ..but you do look like Morrow !

 

[happy_tiger]

From Michael Chammas - SMH

The NRL has 15 days to produce a blueprint for what is being described as "the safest place on earth", with the immediate future of the game set to be decided at a commission meeting on April 21.

Members of the league’s innovation committee will meet with its new infectious disease expert on Monday to continue plans around building up to four "bubble" communities being designed in an attempt to play the first game of round three on May 28.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys have just over a fortnight before they present to the commission when a decision will be reached around the start date and structure of a competition that could kick-off as early as the end of next month.

‘‘We’ve got some of the game’s best minds around the table under the stewardship of commissioner Wayne Pearce,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘They have all been tasked with coming up with different solutions and opportunities for the game to consider. We will also need to consult independent medical and biosecurity experts. That work has already started and we’ll be progressing again this week, ultimately to provide a report for Peter and I to take to the commission in the middle of April.’’

If a decision is reached at the ARLC meeting on April 21, it’s likely teams will be granted permission to return to training the following week from April 27. That would give clubs a four-week mini pre-season before the week leading into the return of the season on Thursday, May 28.

While some consideration had been given to staging the competition in country regions like the Hunter, Mudgee and Dubbo, the distance to the nearest testing and results facilities have all but killed off those plans.

There is strong merit to accommodating players at four different hubs within one big bubble, with Kingscliff, Gold Coast and Brisbane all being discussed as part of a master plan to play matches in south-east Queensland.

The NRL is working with the Queensland government to gain an exemption – similar to the one NSW signed off on last week – that would allow the state to host all 16 teams. Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth, but one NRL innovation committee member is promising the bubble will be ‘‘the safest place on earth’’ in regards to avoiding COVID-19.

It’s expected quarantine stations will be set up within accommodation facilities to isolate players who show even the slightest symptoms to minimise the risk of spread. The NRL will also seek military advice, likening the project of having to isolate players from the community and their families to long-term deployment of navy sailors.

‘‘If one of the conferences goes down with the virus, then you’ll isolate that conference for a number of weeks, then you try and figure out how you make those games up whilst not stopping the competition,’’ Greenberg said.

‘‘We have all that modelled. You can be assured that we’ve figured out how many five-day turn-arounds it would be and how many mid-week games you’d need to make up games.’’

NRL to go hard for Warriors

The NRL has opened discussions with the New Zealand government and is hellbent on the Warriors being on deck for the start of the anticipated season return.

While Greenberg was adamant the game would do everything in its power to ensure the Warriors were exempted from travel restrictions in New Zealand and Australia, he admitted the NRL would have to go on without them in a 15-team competition should the governing body fail.

‘‘We could play without them, but we don’t want to,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘We want to play a competition with all 16 clubs. We’ll be working hard on the Warriors behalf with government on both sides of the Tasman to make sure they can play a part in 2020. We’ll be doing everything possible to ensure the season is played in its full capacity with all teams, and that includes the Warriors. That’s for two reasons. One, we want the competition to be pure. But two, to genuinely reflect the sacrifices they made earlier in the year.’’

The Warriors players haven’t been able to leave their homes, except for an hour of exercise per day, since they returned from Australia two weeks ago. Their 14-day isolation ends on Wednesday, however, New Zealand’s national lockdown means they can only go to the supermarket for essentials.

League to up heat on broadcasters

With the NRL eyeing a return within the next six to eight weeks, the governing body is bracing itself for some robust negotiations with broadcasters in the coming weeks over whether the product is worth what they signed for.

The NRL will this week meet with Channel Nine, Fox Sports and Sky Sports (New Zealand) for talks. Both Channel Nine, the publisher of this masthead, and Fox Sports failed to make their quarterly broadcast payment on April 1.

The NRL has heard the rumblings – that it’s not great viewing without a crowd. Equally, the NRL will argue it has held up its end of the bargain and provided the content it promised in the contract. In the only round played behind closed doors, the overall numbers were down on round one – which was played with crowds. Channel Nine’s numbers were down but Fox experienced an increase from the previous week.

Seriously Fox , Ch 9 and Sky we would happily watch cockroaches racing as long as they were in NRL jerseys

Fans no fans pfffft ..give us a game to watch you bronze nuggets and pay up

Hope Vlandy's and Co remember CH 9 reactions during this while they give them the bird and hand the rights over to the ABC

Is that you Mr Morrow ?

It could be SBS ......anyone bar Ch 9

Yeah 9 are flogs ..but you do look like Morrow !

I do ..paints a great picture of a football game on radio

 

[WT2K]

From Michael Chammas - SMH

The NRL has 15 days to produce a blueprint for what is being described as "the safest place on earth", with the immediate future of the game set to be decided at a commission meeting on April 21.

Members of the league’s innovation committee will meet with its new infectious disease expert on Monday to continue plans around building up to four "bubble" communities being designed in an attempt to play the first game of round three on May 28.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys have just over a fortnight before they present to the commission when a decision will be reached around the start date and structure of a competition that could kick-off as early as the end of next month.

‘‘We’ve got some of the game’s best minds around the table under the stewardship of commissioner Wayne Pearce,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘They have all been tasked with coming up with different solutions and opportunities for the game to consider. We will also need to consult independent medical and biosecurity experts. That work has already started and we’ll be progressing again this week, ultimately to provide a report for Peter and I to take to the commission in the middle of April.’’

If a decision is reached at the ARLC meeting on April 21, it’s likely teams will be granted permission to return to training the following week from April 27. That would give clubs a four-week mini pre-season before the week leading into the return of the season on Thursday, May 28.

While some consideration had been given to staging the competition in country regions like the Hunter, Mudgee and Dubbo, the distance to the nearest testing and results facilities have all but killed off those plans.

There is strong merit to accommodating players at four different hubs within one big bubble, with Kingscliff, Gold Coast and Brisbane all being discussed as part of a master plan to play matches in south-east Queensland.

The NRL is working with the Queensland government to gain an exemption – similar to the one NSW signed off on last week – that would allow the state to host all 16 teams. Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth, but one NRL innovation committee member is promising the bubble will be ‘‘the safest place on earth’’ in regards to avoiding COVID-19.

It’s expected quarantine stations will be set up within accommodation facilities to isolate players who show even the slightest symptoms to minimise the risk of spread. The NRL will also seek military advice, likening the project of having to isolate players from the community and their families to long-term deployment of navy sailors.

‘‘If one of the conferences goes down with the virus, then you’ll isolate that conference for a number of weeks, then you try and figure out how you make those games up whilst not stopping the competition,’’ Greenberg said.

‘‘We have all that modelled. You can be assured that we’ve figured out how many five-day turn-arounds it would be and how many mid-week games you’d need to make up games.’’

NRL to go hard for Warriors

The NRL has opened discussions with the New Zealand government and is hellbent on the Warriors being on deck for the start of the anticipated season return.

While Greenberg was adamant the game would do everything in its power to ensure the Warriors were exempted from travel restrictions in New Zealand and Australia, he admitted the NRL would have to go on without them in a 15-team competition should the governing body fail.

‘‘We could play without them, but we don’t want to,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘We want to play a competition with all 16 clubs. We’ll be working hard on the Warriors behalf with government on both sides of the Tasman to make sure they can play a part in 2020. We’ll be doing everything possible to ensure the season is played in its full capacity with all teams, and that includes the Warriors. That’s for two reasons. One, we want the competition to be pure. But two, to genuinely reflect the sacrifices they made earlier in the year.’’

The Warriors players haven’t been able to leave their homes, except for an hour of exercise per day, since they returned from Australia two weeks ago. Their 14-day isolation ends on Wednesday, however, New Zealand’s national lockdown means they can only go to the supermarket for essentials.

League to up heat on broadcasters

With the NRL eyeing a return within the next six to eight weeks, the governing body is bracing itself for some robust negotiations with broadcasters in the coming weeks over whether the product is worth what they signed for.

The NRL will this week meet with Channel Nine, Fox Sports and Sky Sports (New Zealand) for talks. Both Channel Nine, the publisher of this masthead, and Fox Sports failed to make their quarterly broadcast payment on April 1.

The NRL has heard the rumblings – that it’s not great viewing without a crowd. Equally, the NRL will argue it has held up its end of the bargain and provided the content it promised in the contract. In the only round played behind closed doors, the overall numbers were down on round one – which was played with crowds. Channel Nine’s numbers were down but Fox experienced an increase from the previous week.

Seriously Fox , Ch 9 and Sky we would happily watch cockroaches racing as long as they were in NRL jerseys

Fans no fans pfffft ..give us a game to watch you bronze nuggets and pay up

Hope Vlandy's and Co remember CH 9 reactions during this while they give them the bird and hand the rights over to the ABC

CBS (10 owners) will definitely come in for it.

 

[Deleted member 3518]

From Michael Chammas - SMH

The NRL has 15 days to produce a blueprint for what is being described as "the safest place on earth", with the immediate future of the game set to be decided at a commission meeting on April 21.

Members of the league’s innovation committee will meet with its new infectious disease expert on Monday to continue plans around building up to four "bubble" communities being designed in an attempt to play the first game of round three on May 28.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys have just over a fortnight before they present to the commission when a decision will be reached around the start date and structure of a competition that could kick-off as early as the end of next month.

‘‘We’ve got some of the game’s best minds around the table under the stewardship of commissioner Wayne Pearce,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘They have all been tasked with coming up with different solutions and opportunities for the game to consider. We will also need to consult independent medical and biosecurity experts. That work has already started and we’ll be progressing again this week, ultimately to provide a report for Peter and I to take to the commission in the middle of April.’’

If a decision is reached at the ARLC meeting on April 21, it’s likely teams will be granted permission to return to training the following week from April 27. That would give clubs a four-week mini pre-season before the week leading into the return of the season on Thursday, May 28.

While some consideration had been given to staging the competition in country regions like the Hunter, Mudgee and Dubbo, the distance to the nearest testing and results facilities have all but killed off those plans.

There is strong merit to accommodating players at four different hubs within one big bubble, with Kingscliff, Gold Coast and Brisbane all being discussed as part of a master plan to play matches in south-east Queensland.

The NRL is working with the Queensland government to gain an exemption – similar to the one NSW signed off on last week – that would allow the state to host all 16 teams. Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth, but one NRL innovation committee member is promising the bubble will be ‘‘the safest place on earth’’ in regards to avoiding COVID-19.

It’s expected quarantine stations will be set up within accommodation facilities to isolate players who show even the slightest symptoms to minimise the risk of spread. The NRL will also seek military advice, likening the project of having to isolate players from the community and their families to long-term deployment of navy sailors.

‘‘If one of the conferences goes down with the virus, then you’ll isolate that conference for a number of weeks, then you try and figure out how you make those games up whilst not stopping the competition,’’ Greenberg said.

‘‘We have all that modelled. You can be assured that we’ve figured out how many five-day turn-arounds it would be and how many mid-week games you’d need to make up games.’’

NRL to go hard for Warriors

The NRL has opened discussions with the New Zealand government and is hellbent on the Warriors being on deck for the start of the anticipated season return.

While Greenberg was adamant the game would do everything in its power to ensure the Warriors were exempted from travel restrictions in New Zealand and Australia, he admitted the NRL would have to go on without them in a 15-team competition should the governing body fail.

‘‘We could play without them, but we don’t want to,’’ Greenberg said. ‘‘We want to play a competition with all 16 clubs. We’ll be working hard on the Warriors behalf with government on both sides of the Tasman to make sure they can play a part in 2020. We’ll be doing everything possible to ensure the season is played in its full capacity with all teams, and that includes the Warriors. That’s for two reasons. One, we want the competition to be pure. But two, to genuinely reflect the sacrifices they made earlier in the year.’’

The Warriors players haven’t been able to leave their homes, except for an hour of exercise per day, since they returned from Australia two weeks ago. Their 14-day isolation ends on Wednesday, however, New Zealand’s national lockdown means they can only go to the supermarket for essentials.

League to up heat on broadcasters

With the NRL eyeing a return within the next six to eight weeks, the governing body is bracing itself for some robust negotiations with broadcasters in the coming weeks over whether the product is worth what they signed for.

The NRL will this week meet with Channel Nine, Fox Sports and Sky Sports (New Zealand) for talks. Both Channel Nine, the publisher of this masthead, and Fox Sports failed to make their quarterly broadcast payment on April 1.

The NRL has heard the rumblings – that it’s not great viewing without a crowd. Equally, the NRL will argue it has held up its end of the bargain and provided the content it promised in the contract. In the only round played behind closed doors, the overall numbers were down on round one – which was played with crowds. Channel Nine’s numbers were down but Fox experienced an increase from the previous week.

Seriously Fox , Ch 9 and Sky we would happily watch cockroaches racing as long as they were in NRL jerseys

Fans no fans pfffft ..give us a game to watch you bronze nuggets and pay up

Hope Vlandy's and Co remember CH 9 reactions during this while they give them the bird and hand the rights over to the ABC

CBS (10 owners) will definitely come in for it.

It’s pretty clear this is a lie , disguised as a truth to get them to pay less for the NRL rights . Even Gus on his podcast saying 9 Lose money on the NRL every year .
Like Bill Simmons said on his podcast “ Nobody has ever lost money paying overs on sports rights “
The simple lack of anything resembling decent content is evidence to this .
The reason they are balking is because they agreed to co telecast with fox. So everyone watches fox as who wants to watch ads , and listen to biased inferior commentary

 

[WT2K]

The NRL will give consideration to scrapping competition points from the opening two rounds of the season when the innovation committee reconvenes on Thursday to discuss the potential of a two-conference system.

In a move set to anger the undefeated Eels, Knights, Panthers, Broncos, Raiders and Storm - the NRL innovation committee will discuss controversially wiping the opening two rounds as part of a proposal to restart the competition with two eight-team conferences from as early as May 28.

"We're going to be looking at all the options," innovation committee leader Wayne Pearce told The Sydney Morning Herald when asked of discussions to wipe the slate clean.

"There are pros and cons for the type of structures they are looking to put in place and what spins from that we will have to look at all options. That will all be talked about. It's going to be a pretty big meeting because there's a lot to discuss."

Winless Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson is likely to be a natural target given he is the only coach on the innovation committee. However, fellow committee member Troy Grant strongly defended the three-time premiership-winning coach and his integrity.

"I can tell you honestly, he and Donny Furner (Raiders chief) gave a number of scenarios where their clubs would have been disadvantaged," Grant told the Herald.

"Anyone pointing fingers at them for trying to favour their clubs is so off the mark it's not funny. Both men have great integrity and the game's full interest at heart."

The main considerations around the structure of the season are essentially down to two options:

**Keep all the clubs together and play each other once. It could be played at Sydney Olympic Park, with teams staying at the three Accor hotels and training at several facilities within the complex.**

**Or, split the competition into two conferences in two locations (potentially Sydney Olympic Park and Townsville) and rejig the draw for a finals system similar to the NBA. That would involve playing each of the other seven teams in the conference twice in a 14-round competition. It would also open the door for the NRL to wipe the points from the opening two rounds. However there is an argument to keeping those points, even if you adopt the two-conference system.**

Rookie Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien, who guided his team to back-to-back wins in the opening rounds, wants the game to return but believed it would be unfair on the players to strip points.

"Try telling poor Jayden Brailey that he did an ACL for nothing," O'Brien said.

"He went out and played the whole second half for his teammates and the two points knowing something was wrong. I couldn't look that kid in the eye if it was for nothing.

"These are dark times for everyone, and the thing for me is our members and our fans and our sponsors are hanging onto the excitement of how we started the season. The number one thing is we get back and play, I know it is.

"But we are asking them to stick solid and continue their memberships with the team around a narrative of what we have done so far. There are other clubs who have debutants, does that not count as their first NRL game? That's a special day you can't take away from someone."

Knights captain Mitchell Pearce, who said he hadn't spoken to his father, was furious with the notion of points being taken from teams.

"I haven't even spoken to Dad, but I would be filthy if they took the points off us," he said.

"We want our four points. I'm sure Cameron Smith would be saying the same thing for the Storm. We had two of our best players get injured and that can't be for nothing."

The Parramatta Eels are at the top of the ladder after wins against the Canterbury Bulldogs and Gold Coast Titans in the first two rounds.

The Sydney Morning Herald contacted Eels coach Brad Arthur, who said the club wasn't worried about the possibility of having its four points wiped from the ladder.

"We haven't been told about two conferences and as far we've been told we're keeping our points," he said.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-to-consider-controversial-scrapping-of-points-from-first-two-rounds-of-season-20200406-p54hn4.html

 

[Geo]

Well of course they are Rorters are Owen 2...Nick can't have that..flogs Toodles..

 

[Geo]

Also can't see how 2 confrences would work...out of town teams Melbourne Brisbane Newcastle Nth Qld Canberra Warriors gold Coast + 1 Sydney team ...and 8 Sydney teams..

I know which conference I'd want to play in..

 

[happy_tiger]

Also can't see how 2 confrences would work...out of town teams Melbourne Brisbane Newcastle Nth Qld Canberra Warriors gold Coast + 1 Sydney team ...and 8 Sydney teams..

I know which conference I'd want to play in..

They reckon the Saints would be the 8th team in the conference

It would be a 50/50 in my opinion which conference you'd want to be in

Sharks ,Dogs ,Penrith ,Parra , Souths ,WT's , Manly ,Roosters

Brisbane ,Melbourne ,Saints , Cows ,Titans , Warriors , Raiders ,Knights

Take the Raiders away from those freezing night games and they come back to the field imo

The more I read it ...northern conference ...we match up well against most the sides in that conference

 

[TrueTiger]

Also can't see how 2 confrences would work...out of town teams Melbourne Brisbane Newcastle Nth Qld Canberra Warriors gold Coast + 1 Sydney team ...and 8 Sydney teams..

I know which conference I'd want to play in..

I agree with the conference parts Geo,but honestly,and I know all of us want to see some footy,I think this year will be written off and I think they are grasping at straws to get the comp going again on the first of June or July..Greenburg and the NRL have done a terrible job of handling the finances and now they are trying to recoup the best they can..if this virus gets worse so will the NRL situation,it will only take one to test positive before they want to restart and it will be all over...just my opinion ..

 

[GNR4LIFE]

The concept is trash

 

[happy_tiger]

The concept is trash

What is the better way ...have magic round every weekend in Brisbane .....Gladstone ......Dubbo .....and play each other once ...semis ...GF... SOO