Cyclone Alfred Disrupts NRL Match in Brisbane
The NRL’s decision to move the Dolphins’ match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs from Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium to Sydney due to Cyclone Alfred has left players and their families in a state of distress. With the cyclone expected to make landfall on Saturday, the implications of the venue change have far-reaching consequences, especially for the Brisbane-based players who are now at risk of being separated from their loved ones during a critical time. The decision has been met with strong criticism, with players and their families questioning the NRL’s priorities in the face of natural disaster.
A Human Impact on Players and Families
Bree Nikorima, the wife of Dolphins player Kodi Nikorima, took to Instagram to express her frustration and anger. "Because a game of football is THAT IMPORTANT," she wrote, questioning the NRL’s decision to prioritize the match over the safety and well-being of players’ families. Bree is six months pregnant and has two young children, living in an area prone to flooding, which makes her situation particularly dire. Her post, which has since been deleted, included a ‘vomit-face’ emoji, underscoring her disappointment. Similarly, players Mark Nicholls and Kenny Bromwich chose to withdraw from the match to stay with their families, highlighting the personal and emotional toll of the decision.
The NRL’s Response and Priorities
In a statement released on Tuesday, the NRL defended its decision by emphasizing the importance of player and fan safety. "The NRL has made the decision today to allow for the appropriate changes to be implemented and acknowledges and thanks both the Dolphins and the Rabbitohs for their approach and co-operation," the NRL said. The league further stated that the safety of players, fans, and the community were the highest priority in considering the venue change. However, the actions and reactions of players and their families suggest that the NRL could have done more to address the human aspect of the situation, such as postponing the match.
Contrasting Approaches: NRL vs. AFL
The AFL, on the other hand, took a different approach by cancelling two matches that were scheduled to be played in Queensland. The Brisbane Lions’ game against Geelong at the Gabba and the Gold Coast Suns’ match against Essendon were both rescheduled, demonstrating a more empathetic response to the weather conditions. This contrast has only served to heighten the criticism of the NRL, as fans and players alike wonder why the NRL did not consider a similar course of action. The AFL’s decision to prioritize safety and community welfare has been widely praised, further emphasizing the perceived lack of human decency in the NRL’s stance.
The Worsening Situation in Queensland
As of Friday, Cyclone Alfred has begun to impact southeast Queensland and northern NSW, despite stalling again overnight. Tens of thousands of homes are without power, trees have been uprooted by wind gusts, and heavy rain has led to flooding, forcing many residents to evacuate. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli warned that the storm is "slowly continuing towards the coast" and urged residents to prepare for the worst. Cape Byron in NSW has experienced winds up to 120km/h, while the Gold Coast airport recorded gusts of 100km/h. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also stressed the importance of preparedness, noting that the cyclone’s slow movement over warmer waters could potentially increase its intensity.
Seeking a Solution
The Dolphins are now scrambling to find a way to bring their players back to Brisbane before the cyclone’s expected landfall. The task is made more challenging by the complete cancellation of all flights into Brisbane, which has left the team with few viable options. The Brisbane Broncos, who played in Sydney on Friday night, managed to return home thanks to special permission from Premier Crisafulli to land in Toowoomba, followed by a bus journey to Brisbane. However, with conditions worsening in Queensland, it remains unclear whether the Dolphins will be able to replicate this solution. The team’s management stressed that they are exploring all possible options but acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. As the storm approaches, the Dolphins and their families are left hoping that a way home can be found, but the reality is that they may be forced to endure the cyclone’s impact from afar.
