Politicians love being members of clubs and our prime minister is no exception.
He most recently joined the so-called first movers club, a group of countries including Denmark, Greece, New Zealand, Israel and Singapore.
The leaders got together by phone, presumably to give each other a metaphorical pat on the back because they’d managed to get on top of the coronavirus in their respective countries and were now looking to ease restrictions.
Soon after this gratuitous backslapping, the PM produced a document that has been dubbed the roadmap out of the virus crisis. It outlines three stages of recovery, with the final stage including interstate travel and increased numbers of people allowed at gatherings.
What isn’t spelled out, though, are the subsequent stages that allow fans to go and watch football games. Clearly it won’t be possible to do this when the NRL season re-commences on May 28, but it would be nice to know when the PM and his medical experts think it will be safe to allow people in to watch their teams play.
Scott Morrison would certainly love to return to Shark Park. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
To date, the state and federal leaders have had a relatively easy time of it, in terms of decision-making. It’s not hard to listen to medical experts and act on their advice to make closures across the board.
The tricky bit now starts: deciding what can open, and how many people can gather. Assuming all goes well and stage-three restrictions are lifted successfully, there should be little reason why fans can’t watch live football.
Yes, there will need to be precautions, screening and safe distancing. That would likely mean crowd sizes would be reduced, but with the exception of Broncos home games, that’s probably not an issue, at least for regular rounds.
Peter V’landys and the NRL have done a mighty job getting the season back to the point where it can start again, but they still have more to do. The high point of any season is the finals and more so than ever this year, it would be great to get plenty of people into the games.
It would be difficult to imagine a grand final played in an empty stadium. It would be equally hard to imagine State of Origin played in front of nothing but empty seats.
V’landys must surely have a plan so that a few minor round games can be used as test cases to see what happens if people are allowed to attend.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Clearly it would be good to know how long it will take to get in with extra screening measures and whether people will still practice safe distancing once in the ground. If all goes well, that should mean people could be allowed into the finals.
The NRL has been at the forefront of getting professional sports back on track in Australia and this is simply one more time where it has to take the lead.
The lessons gained by allowing fans into games would translate to the AFL in particular, but also the cricket, assuming their season goes ahead as planned.
The relevant state and federal leaders have shown courage by allowing the NRL to start again. Hopefully that courage doesn’t desert them when it comes to allowing live audiences.
1.5 metres please
Guest
Man , these scuumbsgs exploit any situation that arises. We live in an era of political opportunism like no other before. Governments have always herded their constituents, but in the past there was a level of critical thinking among the majority of the population, but now stupidity is the norm , and in a lot of cases , worn like a badge of honour. Ya can’t blame politicians for capitalising on stupidity.
1.5 metres please
Guest
So , I can’t understand why Morrison has anything to do with this .
Rob
Guest
Yeah, i can't believe the traffic at shops. It was disheartening I was part of the problem. Tried to give the crowd a wide berth so I came back 4 hours later but it wasn't any different so i told old mum i can get a present next weekend I hope. The worlds gone to pot for a while i believe.
Big Daddy
Guest
Nat, trouble with SCG is being shared with Swans. They'll be looking for grounds with the cheaper rental rates. I can't see why they can't play some double headers. One at 3 pm and one at 7:30. Gives staff reasonable time to vacate , fumigate if necessary. Also Warriors might be onto a good thing at Gosford.
Nat
Roar Guru
I was talking to a mate who operates a few hotels in Brisbane and they are looking to get pokie rooms open in June. They will have to spread the machines into the dining rooms/open areas for social distancing. 40 pokies = $3m a month! That is their priority and some.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Yes
Nick
Roar Guru
Absolutely.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Nat, I've had to check the meaning of some of those extra large words you have used. Did you swallow a dictionary? As I am an intellectually challenged Roosters supporter could you kindly use simple phrases such as "The cat sat on the mat" when replying to my posts. Makes it easier for me to comprehend.
Big Daddy
Guest
Yeah, it's the poker machine tax they'll be chasing.
Nat
Roar Guru
There's some merit in that thinking. The clubs and league have virtually accepted that there will be no crowds this year so there are plans in place to do without that revenue stream. If it could be safely rolled out, I say give free tix to the health workers and firefighters. Surely 1 every 2-3 seats is enough of social distancing to put 1000s of people in the seats of ANZ/SCG. Considering how ealry the fire season started last year, these guys wouldn't have seen last years finals let alone have Christmas or festive season at all. I'm sure they would appreciate it.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
That's hardly fair, catering for the entire Manly membership from day dot. (just kidding)
Nick
Roar Guru
I appreciate that. But most states, including NSW intend to open up their licensed establishments by July. Wholesale cancellations of seasons seem premature. It seems simpler and easier for the NSW government to waive costs on licenses for 2020.
AJ
Roar Rookie
In the meantime how about a raffle? It could start off with 10 lucky winners spread around the stadium and increase until a reduced general admission is acceptable. $5 a ticket could raise a bit of money given the novelty value.
Big Daddy
Guest
Spruce, apart from West's Rosellas who are part of the Newcastle West's group the other 7 teams rely on crowds and income from small licensed clubs so it would be difficult. On the Central Coast 2-3 strong clubs and the rest rely on sponsorship and pub raffles so there could be some amalgamation for 2021. NSWRL now control all country football so anything is possible.
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
Nahh, I'll wait until next season even if crowds are allowed back this year.
Big Daddy
Guest
Rob, the public can't be trusted. Yesterday at an Aldi store there was a huge queue just to buy an Air Fryer on special. They're crazy.
Nick
Roar Guru
Fair enough on your part. Although I think the Newcastle Herald might be sensationalising a pinch. I can't exactly see whole comps cancelling over a genuinely petty issue of player payments in amateur footy...or the patently absurd idea of no crowds.
Big Daddy
Guest
Spruce, read it in the Newcastle Herald so I'm not sure it's true or false. Wyong my old club have pulled out of Central Coast comp till 2021 and they're the the richest ( $2 million profit every year) football club on Central Coast. East's have closed down Woy Woy Leagues so a lot of country comps are at risk for this year at least.
Rob
Guest
It will be interesting to see where the states are in case numbers over the next few weeks with restrictions being reduced. After seeing the packed shopping centres on the weekend we might be in for some trouble. I hope not but I can’t see any crowds being looked out for another 8 weeks minimum and depending on a second wave not happening. Can the players and public both do the right thing for that long?
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
for me it was Paul Kelly and Stevie Wright's work with the Swans.....Russell Morris was a better Saint than hawk.....Mark Hunter's best work out at the Western (Whitten) Oval.....