An Australian Football League (AFL) icon has indirectly critiqued Rugby League (NRL) amidst rising concerns over the NRL’s choice to shift Friday’s opening match due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaching southern Queensland. Originally set to take place at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, the match between the Dolphins and South Sydney was relocated to Sydney as adverse weather conditions loom.
In contrast, the AFL chose to postpone two of its own matches in both Brisbane and the Gold Coast due to the cyclone’s threat, highlighting a difference in the approach of the two codes. It has been reported that at least three players from the Dolphins have withdrawn from the match to assist their families in preparing for the cyclone’s impact.
Dolphins players have even offered to accommodate their families in a Brisbane hotel during the tumultuous weather. Essendon great Matthew Lloyd commended the AFL’s decision, noting the importance of prioritising safety over sporting events, stating that there are “bigger things at play.” He dismissed the idea that postponing the match would favour one team over another, asserting that all teams face similar predicaments under such circumstances.
Player Kodi Nikorima has chosen to stay in Queensland, voicing his concerns on social media regarding the NRL’s decision to relocate instead of postponing the match altogether. Dolphins CEO Terry Reader acknowledged the anxieties affecting players and staff, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of all involved.
Former Brisbane Broncos player Sam Thaiday understands the choice of some Dolphins players to remain at home, given the uncertainty surrounding the cyclone’s trajectory. He described the situation in Queensland as a “little bit of calm before the storm.”
As the circumstances unfold, a diminished Dolphins squad is preparing to face the Rabbitohs in Sydney on Friday night, a match overshadowed by the cyclone’s looming threat and the safety concerns of players and their families.