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  1. #1
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    NRL 2020 NRL Discussion Thread

    2020 NRL Discussion
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

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    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    NRL issues stringent player guidelines to help prevent spread of coronavirus

    NRL players will be told to limit interaction with fans at matches while community visits may also be cancelled as part of measures brought in to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, which has led the NBA to call off its season.

    Starting with Thursday night’s Bankwest Stadium season-opening clash between Parramatta and Canterbury, players will be advised to limit mingling with fans prior to matches or on the field after full-time where they often interact with friends, supporters and family members to sign autographs and have photos taken.

    The NBA has announced its season is on hiatus after Utah Jazz All-Star centre Rudy Gobert tested positive to COVID-19.

    A set of guidelines was issued to all 16 NRL clubs on Thursday, which also includes restricting access to dressing rooms to players and match-day staff.

    In the memo issued by NRL CEO Todd Greenberg to the clubs, he advised clubs to take reasonable steps to limit club-organised player contact with community organisations such as hospitals and schools.

    He also advised the clubs to take the advice of their chief medical officers on enhanced medical and hygiene initiatives, such as regularly cleaning surfaces in training areas with antiseptic solutions, thorough handwashing, ensuring food preparation is done to the highest levels and preventing the sharing of water bottles.

    Media will not be permitted in the sheds while host broadcasters will have access to certain areas only.

    Gobert's test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off of Wednesday's game between the Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game was cancelled. Gobert was not in the arena.

    The NBA has suspended all games following the conclusion of Wednesday's schedule of games until further notice. The NBA said during this hiatus it would determine its next steps in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has tested positive for COVID-19 and will undergo a 14-day quarantine, along with teammates and coaching staff with the Italian Serie A championship-winning side.

    Rugani, who was on the bench in last weekend’s match against Inter Milan, is the first Italian player diagnosed with the virus but German club Hannover 96 has also announced a member of its team had COVID-19.

    Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, have also tested positive to coronavirus while on holiday on the Gold Coast.

    The Hollywood star posted on Twitter to announce his diagnosis.

    In Melbourne, the Storm's neighbours at AAMI Park - AFL clubs Collingwood and Melbourne - are taking big steps to protect their players from the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

    Storm coach Craig Bellamy said it was business as usual for his side for the time being when asked about the virus on Thursday morning.

    Collingwood cancelled an open training session with fans on Wednesday, while the Demons have moved their AFL program almost an hour away to Casey Fields as clubs try and stop the disease from reaching their players and coaching staff.

    "Some of our staff in the office have been told to work from home if they can as it is the health of our players which is the number one priority," Bellamy said.

    "We are certainly taking some precaution ... but it's business as usual in regards to training and everything else."

    https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/03/12/...f-coronavirus/
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  3. #3
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    Guess I'll be a Parra fan tonight.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  4. #4
    Moderator JunctionBlock's Avatar
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    Maybe cancel school visits to stop the transfer of other viruses too.

  5. #5
    Super Moderator TITAN PETE's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JunctionBlock View Post
    Maybe cancel school visits to stop the transfer of other viruses too.
    Yes mate , if someone is wearing a School Uniform , walk away

    Go Parra
    #itaintweaktospeak

  6. #6

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    The Grand Prix is now off. Wondering how long it will be before the NRL is too. Was very much looking forward to Sunday week, and have tickets to 4 games over Easter that I now suspect won't happen...

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    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Canon View Post
    The Grand Prix is now off. Wondering how long it will be before the NRL is too. Was very much looking forward to Sunday week, and have tickets to 4 games over Easter that I now suspect won't happen...
    Hopefully it all turns a corner soon. I need the footy! It all makes us realise how vulnerable our society.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  8. #8
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    NRL enhance game day protocols

    The National Rugby League (NRL) has introduced changes to its match day protocols and procedures based on the advice of health officials regarding COVID-19.

    The changes are designed to protect the health and safety of players and fans and will mean a reduced level of interaction both pre-match and post-match. While health authorities have advised there is no current risk to people attending mass gatherings, the NRL has provided clubs with a set of guidelines to help reduce the potential spread of the virus.

    Among the changes which will be effective from Round One, beginning tonight (March 12):

    Players have been advised to minimise contact with the public and non-essential personnel. This includes limiting physical contact with supporters at venues; Players are advised to avoid handshakes, autographs and selfies to limit the risk of infection;
    Clubs restricting dressing room access to include only players and essential staff;
    Clubs taking reasonable steps to limit club-organised player contact with community organisations;
    Clubs and players taking additional steps to ensure enhanced hygiene at training and playing facilities.

    "Our priority is to protect the health and safety of our players and fans," NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said.

    "We have listened to the experts and are following their advice. While we need to be calm and sensible, we also need to be practical and proactive. We are doing everything practical to minimise the risks for everyone."

    The guidelines have been shaped following recommendations by the Department of Health and regular consultation with medical experts.

    Mr Greenberg said the NRL would continue to be guided by the advice of Federal and State health authorities and will accept any recommendations they provide.

    "If we need to change some things, we will do that. We have established an internal working group which will continue to liaise daily with health authorities and clubs to ensure we are as informed as possible and prepared to act if required," Mr Greenberg said.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  9. #9
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    NRL fans could be locked out of stadiums from tonight: report
    https://wwos.nine.com.au/

    The NRL could lock fans out of stadiums as early as tonight, according to a report in The Sydney Morning Herald.

    The report states that the NRL is putting measures in place in case fans need to be turned away from tonight's games as a response to COVID-19.

    Prime Minister Scott Morrison and state premiers have gathered in Sydney today for a COAG meeting with the NRL sweating on advice in relation to mass gatherings that will come from that meeting.

    A decision to take the matches behind closed doors would be a huge blow to tonight's match between the Cowboys and the Broncos, which was to be a huge occasion as the first match played at Townsville's new stadium.

    NRL and QLD State government are meeting in Townsville right now. When that meeting finishes there will be an announcement, likelyhood is games tonight to go ahead without crowds. Then shutdown from next week. Fans in Townsville will be furious if locked out.

    NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has flown to Townsville for the game, however it is increasingly possible that it will be played in front of empty stands.

    The NRL has set up a coronavirus sub-committee which has been corresponding with clubs about the potential ramifications, including the financial implications of playing without crowds.

    The season-opener between the Eels and the Bulldogs was played in front of more than 21,000 fans, with more than 8,000 paying customers failing to turn up after Bankwest Stadium was sold out.

    Tonight's first match pits grand finalists the Raiders against the Gold Coast Titans in Canberra's GIO Stadium, kicking off at 6pm.

    According to the Herald report the NRL is also making plans around the potential of having to postpone the season if the COVID-19 outbreak worsens, however that could be fast-tracked if one of its players contracts the virus.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

  10. #10

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    This weekends games seem safe, but at best no spectators after that...

  11. #11
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    This sucks beyond sucks.
    I’ve been fighting this but I’m now coming to the realisation/acceptance there is going to be no sports to go to and watch on TV too for quite some time.
    Here and overseas.
    For entertainment it’s going to be TV shows and Movies.
    Jesus Wept.

  12. #12
    Rep Player shamus's Avatar
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    Both Fox and Channel nines ratings will now go through the roof

  13. #13
    Rep Player shamus's Avatar
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    On another note, the current membership numbers for Titans (and all other clubs) won’t change due to stadiums closed to the general public. So even if we get on a roll and win a few no-one is going to pay for membership if they can’t go to the game. So our membership figures will still suck. Just another kick in the teeth for our owners.

  14. #14
    Administrator DIEHARD's Avatar
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    Clubs have privately discussed selling 499 premium tickets — just under the 500-person mass-gathering restrictions implemented by the federal government from tomorrow.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER

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    Manly chairman Scott Penn’s plea for federal government to provide financial assistance for NRL clubs
    https://www.couriermail.com.au/

    Manly Sea Eagles chairman Scott Penn has revealed his fears of “all clubs going under” without federal government assistance as all 16 NRL clubs’ financial health is revealed. READ IT HERE.

    Manly chairman and majority shareholder Scott Penn has urged the federal government to bail out financially stricken NRL clubs or face the possibility “all clubs would go under”.

    Penn told The Daily Telegraph teams being forced to play in empty stadiums, or having the NRL season cancelled or postponed because of coronavirus, would have dire financial consequences for all clubs.

    Penn was adamant the government should help the game for community purposes, declaring: “It’s a passion for so many people. It’s an element of hope every week.”

    The Daily Telegraph revealed on Monday that clubs may only survive for eight to 12 weeks if games were cancelled and sponsorship, gate takings, membership and the $14 million weekly broadcast grant to clubs stopped.

    “If we can’t play in front of crowds, then there are lines of revenue in our PNL (profit and loss) that we just cannot deliver,” Penn said. “Yet if we have the same cost base, because we have player salaries meeting the cap, we’ve got staff with jobs … it’s an imbalance that can’t be rectified.

    “So the reality is if that continued all clubs would go under unless they had significant reserves they could tap into or funding. It’s crucial that we find funding. The league is definitely going to need assistance to continue if we are unable to generate crowds.

    “The reality is all clubs survive on a combination of the monthly (broadcast) grant, gate receipts, membership, merchandise and sponsorship. There are really only five or six key lines of revenue and the fact is, they are all contingent on us playing games and putting brands out in the market.

    “If that is unable to occur then that would have a dramatic impact – unlike anything that has ever been seen before. It’s unprecedented. These are dramatic times.

    “That is what everyone is working on right now as we speak. It’s a weekly update. Are we able to play? Are we able to give members and sponsors value for money? We would have to give pro rata refunds to members if they are unable to attend games. That would have a significant impact on every club.”

    Manly are one of the less wealthy clubs with limited resources and a modest budget.

    Penn believes the game must continue being played to soothe a worried and concerned community.

    “Having the benefit of being in a market where all professional sports have been currently suspended, it’s actually not good, I don’t think, for the population to not have sport,” Penn said.

    “Certainly in Australia where sport is the absolute fabric of our culture. It’s what we talk about at the pub, many people participate in tipping competitions, fantasy league. To not have it would be a disaster.

    “I would implore the government to find some form of an assistance package because it actually has community benefit as long as the players’ health and safety aren’t at risk.

    “There are tough times for a multitude of companies but we aren’t just another business – we do provide a level of weekly interest and hope that not many other companies do. It’s a passion for so many people.

    “It’s an element of hope every week and it’s fun. I can watch my team – to not have that and focus on the catastrophic headlines isn’t what anyone wants.”

    Penn said he was “impressed” with the leadership of ARL Commission chairman, Peter V’landys.

    “He and the League are keeping communication high and are getting on the front foot, which we have to,” Penn said. “We are all in the same situation and we have to work together to find a solution.”

    NRL CLUBS’ FINANCES

    TIGERS: Don’t carry any debt but the club would be severely impacted by the season being postponed. Wests Ashfield Leagues Club has a healthy net asset balance of $60 million but it too is feeling the impact of the coronavirus. Any consideration given to using the assets of Wests Ashfield to ensure the survival of the Tigers would be a last resort.

    RAIDERS: Owned by the powerful Queanbeyan Leagues Club that runs six licenced clubs with a new $20 million asset in the recently opened high performance facility. But it is important to note that the Raiders are run separately and would be in a world of hurt within two to three months without the broadcast money.

    BULLDOGS: Are the controlling entity of the Canterbury Leagues Club with a conservative worth of well over $200 million that also consists of six houses and blocks of land. Like all NRL clubs rely heavily on the broadcasting cash for the day-to-day running of the football club. Still, would be in a pretty solid position if things get ugly in the coming months.

    SHARKS: According to their annual report, the Sharks have $16 million in the bank as a result of $25 million in property sales from their Woolooware development site. Loans have been reduced from $4 million to $500,000. They also own their own home ground, the leagues club and Kareela golf club. However income will be affected over the next two years while the Leagues club is closed and the team is playing out of Kogarah.

    WARRIORS: Owned by Autex Industries, a New Zealand-based manufacturing and product development company specialising in textiles and advanced fibre technology that has a staff of around 500 employees.

    The Warriors are in an even more precarious situation than the rest at this point given the travel restrictions in place between Australia and New Zealand. If the Warriors players decide they won’t continue after round two expect this situation to become very tense if the owners were to miss out on their share of the broadcast revenue.

    KNIGHTS: Knights CEO Phil Gardner has declared the club financially “secure”, even if the NRL season is temporarily halted because of coronavirus. “The Knights are in the fortunate position of being one of the most financially stable clubs in the NRL,” Gardner said of his franchise, which is owned by The Wests Group.

    DRAGONS: The Dragons are solid financially thanks to being partially privatised by WIN Corporation, whose owner Bruce Gordon boasts a listed net worth of $702 million. WIN owns a 50 per cent stake in the joint-venture club, with the other half owned by St George District Rugby League Club.

    EELS: While the Eels boast financial backing from Parramatta Leagues Club, it has been publicly reported that the footy club lost $10 million in 2017 and then $4 million the following year.

    Contrary to some media reports, the Eels have not yet spoken definitively about the impact of any potential pay cuts as they still await further information from the RLPA and NRL.

    SEA EAGLES: Live hand to mouth, according to majority shareholder Scott Penn. There simply isn’t a cash reserve to cover financial hardship. Each year the shareholders, primarily the Penn family, inject around $1 million to balance the books. The club dealt with an outstanding $2m tax bill last year. Have a modest budget and battle through financially every year. Rejected an offer for the club last year said to be worth $18m.

    PANTHERS: Panthers Group owns five licenced clubs so have stable financial support. The club lost nearly $6 million in 2018 but did spend $2.5 million on junior league. Last year, Panthers recorded a $2 million profit from membership and ticket sales. Would survive longer than most other Sydney clubs suffering financial hardship.

    RABBITOHS: As safe as any club is at present. Have the financial clout of Russell Crowe and James Packer behind them. The Rabbitohs have been prudent in recent years resulting in a $4m cash reserve. Most of that money has come through the club’s 29,000 members. Crowe and Packer own 37.5 per cent of the club, the remaining 25 per cent owned by South Sydney Members Rugby League Football Club.

    STORM: Backed by the strong ownership group of Gerry Ryan, Bart Campbell and Matthew Tripp, Melbourne was recently independently valued in excess of $30 million after the Storm’s owners agreed to allow prominent Victorian businessman Brett Ralph on board. Storm boss Dave Donaghy has called for a measured approach to the coronavirus situation.

    “It’s unprecedented times. It’s going to require everyone pulling in the same direction with cool and calm heads,“ said Storm boss Dave Donaghy said.

    ROOSTERS: The Eastern Suburbs Leagues Club, which pays the football club an annual grant, recorded a very healthy net asset position of almost $129 million for the year ending October, 2019. On top of a financially successful leagues club, the Roosters have the backing of Nick Politis, who made a fortune selling cars.

    BRONCOS: The powerhouse Queensland club reportedly has around $15 million in the bank and could survive for several months if the NRL is postponed. The Broncos reported a $3 million profit in 2019, well ahead of their NRL rivals.

    COWBOYS: The club has been pretty profitable in the past two years but could be affected if the NRL season is postponed.

    TITANS: The privately-owned Titans will be affected if the season is postponed. Owners Darryl Kelly and Rebecca Frizelle will likely have to top up their own cash to keep the club going.
    PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!

    Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"
    TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER


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