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Live sport on SN this weekendWhateley criticises NRL's lack of “human decency” after Dolphins v Rabbitohs relocated to Sydney
Charles Goodsir • March 5th, 2025 12:19 pm
SEN’s Gerard Whateley has slammed the NRL’s decision to relocate the Friday night clash between the Dolphins and South Sydney Rabbitohs from Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane to CommBank Stadium in Parramatta due to tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The NRL opted to move the game as opposed to the AFL who decided to postpone the Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats match at the Gabba on Thursday night as well as the Gold Coast Suns v Essendon Bombers fixture on Saturday evening.
Whateley believes the decision to move Dolphins players away from their families and homes before an impending Category 2 cyclone lacks empathy and common sense.
“There was probably a shred of human decency,” Whateley told SEN 1170 Breakfast in reference to the AFL’s decision to postpone their Queensland fixtures.
“One of the first solution’s that was offered on an AFL front was for Brisbane to come to Victoria.
“The Lions could’ve come to Geelong and the Suns could’ve come to play Essendon somewhere.
“If you scratch even the surface of that, you are asking footballers and staff to leave their families and their houses during a period of maximum anxiety and threat.
“It’s really easy to put yourself in that position and say that there is no way you’d be leaving your family in a time like that.
“It’s easy for the outsider, particularly when you aren’t in South-East Queensland, to say (the games should continue).
“We sometimes treat our footballers so callously. There wouldn’t be many professions in the coming days that would demand residents in Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Sunshine coast to leave their homes and entertain the public while this is happening.
“We all want to watch a game of footy but does it matter that much? No it doesn’t.”
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio held an opposing view to Whateley and believes the NRL made the right decision to push forward with the opening round clash.
“I feel like these guys have a job to do,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“The NRL also have a job to do and that is to keep the competition up and running.
“We saw this during COVID and whilst I appreciate the sentiment of everyone's individual circumstance, the show has to go on.
“I commend the Rabbitohs and the Dolphins for coming together on this (on) being extremely proactive in keeping this game.
“It’s an easy swap because they have another game late in the season and it will be played at Redcliffe.
“It’s their job to play professional rugby league.”
The Rabbitohs were set to host the Dolphins in Round 17 at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Due to Friday’s clash being relocated to CommBank Stadium, the Dolphins will be the home team in Round 17, likely at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe.
