Opinion
After an endless war to get the 2020 season resumption approved, some players have broken the rules protecting against COVID-19.
At this weekend alone we’ve seen four players in breach of these rules, which could push back the season’s resumption even further or see it cancelled altogether, which would really piss me off.
The NRL need to be strict on the punishment for these players. However, even though the stripping of competition points has been threatened, the players did this before the NRL put their own rules in place. Sanctions should be strong but fair.
We all have our opinions on what’s appropriate. What’s mine? I would have said a $25,000 fine and a suspension from playing for the remainder of the 2020 season. Brutal but effective.
The NRL has settled on a $50,000 fine for Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr, while Tyronne Roberts-Davis and Nathan Cleary have been fined $10,000 each. All four have received a suspended one-match ban.
The Australian population has done so well to lower the trend of this virus, and I applaud us for it, but for those who think it’s fine to break the rules, understand it will come back to bite you.
Think like this: in 30 days from now the game we love will be back. The NRL are putting their own restrictions on the players, but it’s not just to be harsh on them; it’s to protect them, the teams and the game itself.
When – and there will be a when – the worst of this pandemic subsides we can all look back and say it was worth it. And when next year we can go and attend games again, it will be a wonderful moment. I can’t wait to return to Marathon with my fellow Knights, and I’m pretty sure every Broncos supporter is eager to return to Lang Park.
The time will come. But for now we have to obey the rules, NRL players included.
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