2021 Titans and COVID-19

NRL investigates possible Titans COVID poker machines breach
https://www.couriermail.com.au/

Titans chairman Dennis Watt has asked team management for an explanation after revelations players may have breached biosecurity rules.

The NRL is investigating four Gold Coast Titans players, including skipper Kevin Proctor, for breaching biosecurity rules by playing poker machines at a Sydney pub without wearing masks.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Proctor spent Thursday night at the Locker Room Bar, Olympic Park, near where the team is staying before their match against the Canberra Raiders.

A witness said he was playing poker machines for several hours.

Three other players joined him for a short period.

The Daily Telegraph contacted Titans chairman Dennis Watt, who has asked the team management for an explanation.

On Wednesday night most of the team were in an outdoor area at the same hotel watching the Tim Tszyu fight. Several players again went inside without masks.

Players are allowed inside pubs but only while wearing masks.

A memo last week to all players stated: “Personnel must wear a surgical or N95 mask when indoors in public places and at any time when social distancing is not possible.”

The Titans are staying in Sydney at Homebush after the NRL relocated their game because of the Covid outbreak in south-east Queensland.

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The game is in no danger of being postponed, despite the breach.

The Titans’ breach follows an NRL integrity unit investigation into Wests Tigers star James Roberts and Parramatta’s Will Smith for attending the Tim Tszyu fight in Newcastle on Wednesday night.

The NRL is yet to determine what sanctions will be imposed.

Under tougher biosecurity protocols introduced last Tuesday, players are banned from using public transport, must wear masks in an indoor venue.

Breaches led to Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr and Nathan Cleary being heavily fined last year.

You just shake your head

Titans await call on short-term NRL future.

Gold Coast will likely know by Wednesday where they will be able to host Newcastle next Saturday as the NRL watches Queensland's COVID-19 outbreak closely.

The Titans are scheduled to again play in south-east Queensland in round five, after Saturday night's game against Brisbane was moved to Sydney.

Their shift to Sydney on Wednesday was listed as "indefinite", joining Brisbane in an interstate camp due to the outbreak.

But while the Titans went down 20-4 to Canberra on Saturday, so far the signs off the field are promising.

There was just one case of community transmission reported on Saturday in Brisbane. However, that came from a man who visited a Gold Coast brewery.

The NRL's Apollo committee are still meeting regularly on the topic, but it's expected any decision for the round-five match at Cbus Super Stadium would be made by Wednesday at the latest.

"We'd love to be (home)," coach Justin Holbrook said.

"One thing we've learned with COVID is you don't know how things are going to go and you've got to react to things.

"We were the only team to lose a home game out of this. And that makes it tough.

"But it didn't affect the way we played (against Canberra). We had a good preparation to win.

"It's not ideal, but it's not going to be ideal for anybody at any stage so I'm not here to make excuses."

The NRL has longer to decide on the Broncos' situation, given they don't play at home until the Thursday night of round six against Penrith.

But they too would like to return home, having set up camp in Sydney last Monday.

Meanwhile, the Titans are hopeful a cork suffered by halfback Jamal Fogarty won't rule him out of the Knights clash.

Already without Ash Taylor for another week through a broken hand, Gold Coast desperately need Fogarty's input in attack with Eric Clark and Tyrone Peachey the other option.

The Titans failed to make use of their opportunities in the loss to the Raiders, with three clear try-savers denying them while completing at 67 per cent.

"It was a bit of a shambles all round," Holbrook said.

"We've played well the last couple of weeks (against Brisbane and North Queensland) and we had to play better (against Canberra).

"We missed our chances ... That made it a tough night against a good opportunity."

https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-l...ture-c-2509541

We're Coming Home! Titans to return to the Gold Coast.

The Gold Coast Titans will return home to Queensland on Easter Monday, with the team to play in front of local fans at Cbus Super Stadium next weekend.

The Club held its round four ‘home’ game at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Sydney after the fixture was moved because of the COVID situation in Queensland.

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell says this is a great result for local fans.

“We’re thrilled that the team is coming home to the Coast.

“The NRL has today informed us that we can head back to Queensland and we are preparing to play in front of a big crowd at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.

“Justin (Holbrook) and the team love playing in front of The Legion and we hope that a huge crowd will turn out to support the team against the Knights.

“I want to thank our Members, fans and corporate partners for their support over the last week and we look forward to making you proud with a strong performance next week.”

Tickets are on sale for the match, with a big crowd expected for the Titans first afternoon game at home in 2021.

https://www.titans.com.au/news/2021/...he-gold-coast/

We really need that home support!

We are some hope of having restrictions lifted tomorrow. Doubt we will be able to attend matches though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr Bods

We are some hope of having restrictions lifted tomorrow. Doubt we will be able to attend matches though.

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Hopefully we can get people at the footy again soon. But I'm very happy to see the lockdown lifted in SEQLD.

50% crowds next week