As Australia comes to terms with tough new restrictions to minimise the spread of coronavirus, the immediate futures of the NRL and A-League seasons are set to be revealed on Monday.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Sunday from midday pubs, clubs, cinemas, places of worship and other mass gathering sites will be closed.
Before the announcement, several states including Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Western Australia declared they were implementing partial shutdown measures early next week to tackle the pandemic.
In response AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan announced the AFL will be suspended until at least May 31 while the AFLW finals series will be abandoned without premiers being named.
“The AFL industry is facing its biggest financial crisis in our history, but our key priority is to do everything possible to keep players, staff and supporters healthy and well through this pandemic,” McLachlan said.
“To say that this is the most serious threat to our game in 100 years is an understatement.
“It is unprecedented in its impact.”
The NRL completed its second round on Sunday and chief executive Todd Greenberg said the competition will forge ahead with its season until told otherwise by the government.
“At this stage, our intent is to play on and we remain committed to the continuation of the 2020 season as far as government advice allows it,” NRL boss Todd Greenberg said before a national cabinet meeting in Canberra on Sunday.
“We have, and always will, stringently followed all government health advice and medical protocols to protect the health and safety of the community and our players.”
It is expected the ARL Commission will meet in Sydney on Monday to dissect the latest advice and decide if the competition will continue.
The A-League has also not changed their plans to continue playing, although following the cabinet meeting Perth Glory announced their clash with Western United at HBF Park on Monday evening had been postponed.
No date has been set for the fixture while Newcastle’s home match against Melbourne City is expected to go ahead at McDonald Jones Stadium on Monday.
FFA chief executive James Johnson said the league’s future would, like the NRL, be led by government advice.
“We remain under no illusions as to how fluid this situation is so we will remain agile and responsive to the challenges this pandemic brings,” Johnson said.
“We are continuously assessing our position based on the latest directives and advice.”
peter ostle
Guest
Let's remember he got the job from the NRL, and the club owners wanted a certain CEO. The present national crisis is not what they or he expected to face. Some leaders step up, or seem to be made for the time: think Churchill, FDR, Eddie Mabo. Others cannot or are stopped from doing so. V'landys wants to protect the product the NRL, but at this moment he needs to see the protection as stopping the competition. The negative he, and the NRL will receive if the competition continues will in the long run affect the game more than stopping it now. V'landys fronts the message that he is 'given', but he needs to widen his purview. He needs to be realistic. Use the players, as some have asked, to model the behaviour the governments think are appropriate to the times we live in. Talk to the governments and clubs on what monies are available in ordinary business terms, and avoid 'special pleading'. Talk to the players and other workers in the NRL about what might be needed from them, and model this, if the NRL want to cut wages then cut their own first.
Big Daddy
Guest
It's Gallops Rugby league DNA. Both tarred with the one brush.
Larry1950
Guest
I reckon it's an ego trip for V'landys, wants to be "the man who saved rugby league" trying to designate it as an essential service, seriously? Here's food for thought, he jumped in and blackmailed the nsw government into spending $2B on a stadium replacement program in Sydney or potentially lose a grand final to Qld. Well, you shafted Qld despite no suitable GF venue being available this or next year (depending on constructin delays) so I reckon Anastasia tells V'landys to get stuffed, closes the borders & lets him wear the results. Greedy broke Sydney clubs spending every cent of their annual grant without a thought about financial viability was eventually going to come home to roost, maybe this will help clean out the poorly run clubs.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
Vlandys’ lack of leadership is incomprehensible. He needs to resign or be shown the door. There should be no bail out for any professional sport.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
pop groups or orchestras don't play empty stadiums.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
In a crises you need a central control making body who determines everything . Everyone else just does what they are told. Its not up to the NRL to be leaders. They are sports administrators ffs. I am still working , but as soon as I'm told that's it , that it. Until then we shuffle on.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Viral epidemiologist?
peter ostle
Guest
What leadership by the NRL and FFA, let someone else decide. To keep going will mean paramedics, health workers, transport companies instead of focusing on ameliorating the effects of COVID-19 have to focus on a form of entertainment. If this was a pop group, or orchestra would we agree to their continuing their tour, or would we tell them to stop for the betterment of the community. That they would then be a role model for those who want to end the lockdown quickly. At the moment the NRL and FFA are role models for those who want to ignore their role as responsible citizens. If the so called leaders do not lead, then maybe the players can offer the corrective based on the words of Cameron Smith, which are more pertinent now than even a short time ago when he made them.
The NRL are doing themselves no favours by continuing - it just looks like self interest - money above health
Guest
The NRL aren’t doing themselves any favours by continuing - it smacks of self interest - money over health
Tiger_MBK
Roar Rookie
Suspend now. Send the players back to their families. Save lives!