Brisbane Broncos take action after footy WAG slammed the NRL’s ‘disgusting’ Cyclone Alfred decision
Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has flown back to the Queensland capital to ensure the safety of staff and players’ families is looked after as Cyclone Alfred makes a beeline for the coast.
The cyclone is predicted to hit land between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast on Friday morning.
Donaghy’s move comes after the NRL’s decision to move Friday night’s Dolphins vs Souths clash from Brisbane to Sydney, which was blasted by the wife of Redcliffe star Kodi Nikorima.
Bree Nikorima called the switch ‘disgusting’ and called on footy bosses to get their priorities straight.
‘Because a game of football is THAT IMPORTANT,’ she wrote on Instagram.
‘Leaving the families behind to ride out the direct line of cyclone alone. Some with no support at all.
Bree Nikorima, the wife of Dolphins star Kodi (pictured together) lashed out at the NRL for switching her husband’s Friday night game from Brisbane to Sydney
The footy WAG is furious that the league’s decision is leaving stars’ families to face the effects of Tropical Cyclone Alfred without their partners
‘I’m six months pregnant with two young kids in an area that can flood, disgusting.
‘Do better @nrl,’ she added, publishing a ‘vomit-face’ emoji.
The Broncos flew to Sydney on Tuesday to prepare for Thursday night’s NRL clash with Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium and are scheduled to return on Friday, as loved ones of players and staff face nervous days.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s technical bulletin has warned that there is a possibility, although low, of the Category 2 cyclone becoming a low-grade Category 3 as it gathers momentum.
With 26,000 homes in danger of flooding, the Broncos will ensure those left behind have the support needed to prepare for what may unfold when Alfred makes landfall on Thursday or early Friday.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire addressed the situation on Wednesday morning in Sydney when he fronted reporters.
‘It is my first time facing something like this and the club has been really proactive,’ Maguire said.
‘Our chief executive [Donaghy] flew down [to Sydney] last night and turned around and went straight back to town to make sure everyone is safe while the team is down here.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has flown to Brisbane from Sydney to make sure players’ families are looked after when the deluge hits (pictured, Reece Walsh)
‘They are talking to and getting out to the partners and the wives to make sure they are safe through this situation.
‘It is just a matter of waiting to see how it all pans out but there is a lot of communication between the families.’
The situation could take an emotional toll on the players but Maguire said the lines of communication were open and information on the situation in Brisbane was flowing.
‘From an emotional point of view, because the preparation has been there from the club, it is probably quite settled at the moment,’ he said.
‘We are getting a lot of messaging from back home about how they are travelling. Hopefully it is all OK.
‘We are thinking about everyone up there. We are talking about it and that is the best way to go about it. We are going into the unknown but have to deal with it the best we can.’
NRL bosses confirmed on Tuesday evening that Friday night’s opening-round match between the Dolphins and South Sydney would be shifted out of Brisbane to Sydney’s CommBank Stadium.
The move came hours after the AFL postponed its own two opening-round fixtures in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, initially scheduled for Thursday and Saturday night.
