‘Disgusting’: NRL’s Decision To Move Game To Sydney Amid Cyclone Alfred Slammed

The wife of Dolphins player Kodi Nikorima has slammed the NRL’s decision to move the Dolphins-Rabbitohs clash to Sydney due to Cyclone Alfred.

Dolphins players and staff have left their families for the weekend after the NRL relocated the game to CommBank stadium. 

The cyclone is expected to bring wind gusts up to 155km/h which could cause damage to buildings, bring down large trees and cause roof damage. 

Bree Nikorima, wife of Dolphins five-eighths Kodi Nikorima took to social media to blast the NRL’s decision, expressing her frustration that players had been forced to leave their families behind amid the dangerous weather conditions. 

Bree is six months pregnant and is looking after two young kids while Kodi has flown with his team to prepare for Friday’s footy match. 

“Because a game of football is THAT IMPORTANT,” she wrote in a since-deleted Instagram story.

“Leaving the families behind to ride out the direct line of cyclone [sic] alone. Some with no support at all.”

“I’m six months pregnant with two young kids in an area that can flood, disgusting. Do better NRL,” Bree wrote. 

Abrupt Change Creates Challenges for Dolphins Players and Families

Sports reporter Peter Badel shared that there have been challenges for players and staff, not only with the logistical issues surrounding the move but also with organising “family, childcare, and essentially uprooting their lives for 24 to 48 hours to ensure the game goes ahead,” as he explained on Fox League’s NRL 360.

Badel also reported that families have not been offered temporary relocation to Sydney for the game. Instead, the NRL has extended invitations for wives, partners, and children to stay at the Sofitel Hotel in Brisbane’s CBD.

“It’s a regular hotel used by the NRL. That has been put forward by Dolphins bosses to the families,” Badel said.

“I don’t know if that’s been taken up at this stage by the relevant families. But I do know there’s been major concerns among partners, including Kodi Nikorima’s partner Bree.”

3 Dolphins Players Withdraw From Round-One Match 

Three Dolphins players have withdrawn in the lead-up to the round-one match on Friday evening. 

Mark Nicholls, Kodi Nikorima and 18th man Kenny Bromwich have withdrawn from the Friday-night clash, with Josh Kerr and Sean O’Sullivan coming into the team.

While the Dolphins-Rabbitohs game is still scheduled to go ahead in Sydney, the AFL has postponed two games, including Brisbane’s opening-round match against Geelong.

Brisbane’s game against Geelong, originally planned for Thursday night at the Gabba, and Gold Coast’s clash with Essendon, scheduled for Saturday evening, were both postponed on Tuesday as the weather situation became clearer. The Lions and Cats will now meet at the Gabba in round three, on Saturday, March 29, at 6:35 pm local time.

While the Dolphins-Rabbitohs game is still scheduled to go ahead in Sydney, the AFL has postponed two games, including Brisbane’s opening-round match against Geelong.

Brisbane’s game against Geelong, originally planned for Thursday night at the Gabba, and Gold Coast’s clash with Essendon, scheduled for Saturday evening, were both postponed on Tuesday as the weather situation became clearer. 

AFL Star Would Have Stayed in Brisbane if Game Was Moved to Victoria

AFL Lions star Lachie Neale shared that he would not have played if the game had been moved to Victoria. 

Neale spoke on AFL 360, stating, “I would have stayed here (in Brisbane) with (wife) Jules and the kids,” he said.

“Unless they were willing to fly families as well, which on short notice I’m not sure if they could have organised that (accommodation).

“If they were able to fly families out of town and we could’ve sorted out the dog, then I would have done it. But I wouldn’t have left Jules here with our three-year-old daughter and an 11-week-old little boy.”