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“Unfair advantage”: NRL should cancel Dolphins v Rabbitohs amid cyclone threat
SEN • March 6th, 2025 10:42 am
NRL CEO Peter V'landy’s decision to relocate two Queensland matches to Sydney in response to Cyclone Alfred has drawn heavy criticism with experts suggesting the Rabbitohs now have an “unfair advantage” following the withdrawal of at least three Dolphins players.
While the AFL postponed two fixtures slated for Queensland, the NRL opted for a venue switch that would see the Dolphins and Broncos travel south to face the Rabbitohs and Roosters respectively.
As such, Mark Nicholls, Kodi Nikorima and 18th man Kenny Bromwich have withdrawn from Wayne Bennett's squad meaning Josh Kerr and Sean O’Sullivan have been called up.
Speaking on SEN's Sportsday, The Courier Mail’s Pete Badel said: “Four or five Dolphins players won’t be travelling to Sydney. It’s a major blow for the side and raises the question of whether there’s an unfair advantage for South Sydney.
“The actions of the Dolphins players was probably triggered by Queensland’s Police who went door-knocking to say major damage was on the way and I know a couple of players were seen sandbagging their places for what could be major flooding.
“I think the NRL needs to give serious consideration over the next 24 hours to cancel or postpone this game. If we are going to see more mass withdrawals then that’s not fair for them. I think they should consider postponing like the AFL has done.”
The move to relocate south drew heavy criticism from the families of NRL players with Kodi Nikorima's wife Bree labelling the decision to take players away from their families during a potentially life threatening natural disaster as “disgusting”.
“Because a game of football is THAT important. Leaving the families behind to ride out the direct line of a cyclone alone,” she posted in a now-deleted social media post.
“Some (families) with no support at all.
“I’m 6 months pregnant with 2 young kids in an area that can flood. Disgusting.”
Her comments are believed to have triggered the NRL and Dolphins into a contingency plan with Brisbane CBD accommodation now being offered to the families of all players and staff.
The Dolphins were due to travel to Sydney on Wednesday night with the cyclone set to make landfall on Friday.
