NRL 'more than welcome' to consider Mudgee but no discussions taking place

The Australian Rugby League Commission met on April 21 to discuss the planned May 28 restart, listing potential sites in NSW where international and interstate teams could be based.

The New Zealand Warriors, Melbourne Storm, North Queensland Cowboys and Brisbane Broncos are on the hunt for regional "bubbles" that will comply with the imposed Federal Government isolation policies.

Having hosted multiple events before like the City v Country, Charity Shield and various regular-season fixtures, Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium is no stranger to the National Rugby League.

Last week NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said regional stadiums like Glen Willow could house Queensland and New Zealand players as he continued his push for the regular NRL season to resume.

"For me, the NRL is an opportunity as a state and nation to start the process of recovery. I can assure you that we want to work with the NRL," Mr Barilaro told Nine News.

"Government has a role here. I've had a conversation with the Premier that if the NRL can put forward its measures, its protocols, we will work with them to get through this season."

"You are already allowed to travel to the regions for work, so if you look at the sport of the NRL, it is an industry that is a job for those players, so it is work related."

While rumours were rife that Mudgee was being considered as one regional hub, the Mudgee Guardian confirmed that no active discussions are taking place.

"Council would happily consider hosting NRL teams and games provided all necessary measures were taken in accordance with social distancing guidelines to protect the community and the teams," the Mid-Western Regional Council said in a statement.

Mid-Western Regional Council Mayor Des Kennedy said teams are more than welcome but said there is no active discussion happening to bring the NRL to Mudgee in the capacity Barilaro is championing.

"Originally when Auckland were looking to stay and bunker down somewhere before lockdown. I touched base with then CEO of the NRL Todd Greenberg and offered them a place to stay if they needed it," Cr Kennedy said.

"Barilaro and the state government are really keen to push rugby league to the bush and I commend them for that, but I don't know the merit of pushing that now.

"When you host a Rugby League team in your town it's about showcasing your region and you expect visitors and travellers to come. About 55% of the crowds at the last game were locals and the rest were visitors, that's the benefit of it all."

"When we host a game we get the gate so we have a revenue stream, unless they want to send them out here and not pay but I'm sure there'd be no Council's putting their hand pin their pocket to subsidise a team out here with no revenue."

Despite that, Cr Kennedy said he'd still be happy to talk with the NRL about bringing teams to Mudgee.

"If the NRL want to bring 'em out here and get a good bit of fresh air into them and play a game they're more than welcome but I wouldn't imagine Council would be putting their hand in their pocket but we'd more than welcome them," he said.

Mudgee Dragons' club president Sebastian Flack while there is a natural cause for concern regarding the spread of coronavirus, he believes it could be somewhat be limited by already in place precautions.

"I can see the logic as we are somewhat isolated, a small town where they would be able to have their best chance at staying safe," he said.

"The only real benefit will be seeing the stadium on the television and advertise the town. However, there won't be any interaction with players, and won't be able to watch them play, or use the games as fundraising for local organisations. The whole idea of it is to be played here and you wouldn't even realise.

"It [COVID-19] is a definite risk as film crews and players are coming from areas of the country with higher infection rates than our small town. But again if they isolate properly as I am guessing is planned, then there wouldn't be anything to worry."

The last major event held at Glen Willow was the 2020 Charity Shield in February which saw 9124 attendees watch the South Sydney Rabbitohs defeat the St George/Illawarra Dragons 26-12.

The 2021 Charity Shield is also set to be played in Mudgee.

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