NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro is urging the government and health officials to open up grandstands to NRL fans as soon as possible.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro is pushing for a dramatic relaxing of crowd restrictions for NRL matches and the opening up of Sydney’s ANZ Stadium for up to 40,000 fans as soon as round six.
Barilaro says he wants to see fans flocking back to the game following the sport’s restart after the Covid-19 shutdown, starting with Thursday’s clash between Manly and Brisbane in Gosford – with sufficient social distancing.
The federal government is considering “decreased capacity” for NRL games, according to deputy chief medical officer Dr Nick Coatsworth.
And the NSW government has already ticked off on corporate boxes, for one person per four square metres up to 50 people, open from this weekend.
Discussions have begun about opening up the grandstands, with ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys aiming for a July 1 return for fans.
But Barilaro believes it wouldn’t make sense preventing supporters attending NRL matches now when 20,000 protesters took part in the Black Lives Matter rally with minimal social distancing rules in Sydney on Saturday.
“In my mind, it’s now clear we need some consistency with what is being approved,” Barilaro told the The Daily Telegraph.
“Hypocrisy at its best … the NRL have already proved they have the right plans in place. So as far as I’m concerned the evidence is clear that we can open up these restrictions.”
Suggesting just one or two empty seats are needed to ensure adequate social distancing, Barilaro believes venues like the 80,000-capacity ANZ Stadium should start being used up as soon as possible.
“I want to see stadiums opened to the fans this weekend,” Barilaro said.
“There is no longer any need to keep these lockdowns in place. We can have crowds back and still be abiding by some social-distancing rules. The evidence is there to support that.”
Nationals leader Barilaro also said he wanted social-distancing restrictions lifted at grounds altogether by July 1.
“If we open everything now with these social-distancing measures and there are no more problems, then come July, open everything.
“This shouldn’t be just about corporate boxes. We want people in the grandstands and people playing sport at grassroots level.”
Kevin
Roar Rookie
40 thousand? NRL doesn’t even get crowd figures like that in normal circumstances, let alone when a pandemic is going on.
Curtis Loew
Guest
The truth is an unwelcome guest with the naive , the stupid and the corrupt.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
I would never condone police violence towards any demographic and they should always be held accountable & judged by society. I just hope that society can also view life thru the eyes of a Police Officer who is threatened by any Australian who states, "I'll crack you in the f---ing jaw, bro". I hope that young Australian man changes his ways & doesn't continually need his mother urging crowds to gather in times like these placing numerous innocent Australian lives in danger. Many Australians health have been placed at risk, have committed no crimes & have made no violent remarks to our Police Officers.
Nick
Roar Guru
You mean on ANZAC day, other public holiday games and finals? Go on...find for me the last time 40k people turned up to a regular stock standard H/A fixture in Sydney? Brew a large pot, you'll be searching a while.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
The average attendance at the national rugby league is 16,074 and in the AFL it’s 36,687. Part of it would be that NRL is considerably easier to watch on the Tele, where as AFL because of its elliptical shape and the way the fan bases have developed.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
So public health and the transmission of the virus to the vulnerable with potential deadly impacts is secondary to a cause? Interesting. Those most vulnerable to this pandemic say thank you.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
That’s the thing about forming coalitions to form government. You never know when the little brother in the equation is gonna go nutso and get busted saying stupid stuff.
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
I’m sorry dude, but the intransigence of the police unions to change and the endemic nature of the racial profiling and subsequent killings of African Americans and indigenous australians means that no this issue could not wait. Right now the politicians have a call to action so something might actually get done. What was it Rahm Emmanuel said? “Never waste a good crisis”. The time for change is right now
Charlie Keegan
Roar Guru
The implication being he boinks farm animals hence the name barnyard
Tom
Guest
As much as I support the cause, I agree that the science couldn't be much clearer - we need to avoid mass gatherings. The Cheltenham Festival in the UK on its own was a massive source of cases. However, it is interesting Morrison, Barilaro et al were not nearly as critical as the anti-lockdown/5G nutters protesting...
Duck the cat
Guest
Ask Vichy. Pretty much aligned. Union and fascism.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
I am happy that the game is just on. I'm happy to wait another month or two before crowds are let in.
Troy Jack
Guest
Strange comments given they have got over that figure numerous times in fact.
eels47
Roar Rookie
Corporates and selected long term members they have said
The Barry
Roar Guru
Are they corporates or members? It’s a start I guess... they can turn down the artificial crowd noise...
eels47
Roar Rookie
The Eels sent out a message to their members last night. They are having 420 people at Bankwest tomorrow night (less than 1.5% capacity). Talk about atmosphere!
Womblat
Guest
He didn't read the article properly, he didn't scan a single comment or review the conversation everyone has been having quite reasonably, and he didn't research the facts. Probably doesn't even know what League is. Pretty typical of society's biggest issues, really. Dangerous, arrogant ignorance. I'll have "unfnbelievable" bouncing round in my head all day now. Classic!. :laughing:
Big Daddy
Guest
TA, you might not be far from the mark . Imagine that ??
TeamAustralia
Roar Rookie
Sounds like a job application for the NRL CEO role. But just as pathetic as his TV interview the other day trying to not gag on his own vomit.
Curtis Loew
Guest
As always you are correct.