Here is an idea, why not play origin now. It is inevitable that the season will get shut down within a week or 2 so why not try to make as much money as possible now during that small window.
Origin is the biggest money maker and the tv deal for a few games is massive so it could give the NRL much needed funds. Would also give a better product to try and sell to overseas networks looking for live sport after their competitions have shut down over regular season games.
Pick sides now and isolate them similar to the plan for the whole of NRL. Then maybe pick some other rep sides to play such as Tonga vs Samoa or NZ, aboriginal all stars vs NRL all stars, city vs country but include Qld players not just NSW players.
If each group is isolated in a different area you spread the risk yet could still POSSIBLY have a few quality games for few weeks before the shut down even if 1 group goes down. Start as best of 3 games and then if no infections look at switching the teams up. NSW vs Tonga, Qld vs NZ etc...
The logistics of isolating the whole competition increases the risk of infection due to the amount of people and contact that it brings even if isolated. Those isolated would still need to be fed and supplies bought in. The hotel also needs to be taken care of by cleaners etc, so the people cooking and looking after them in which ever resort they stay, are still at risk from infection from the community and could then infect a player while at work. Minimise the numbers and spread them out and you minimise overall risk.
Replies
Not the silliest idea I've heard, but...how much of a spectacle would origin be with an empty stadium?
The lack of crowd and atmosphere will hurt any game but the roosters have shown the best players can put on a quality game against quality opposition without a crowd.
Whole comps going to be shut down within a few weeks, just wont work on many levels.
Exactly why it is a waste to play NRL games this week and at a stretch possibly next week.
Why not put a quality game on instead.
SOO is run and owned by the ARL. Not a silly idear but think they missed the boat. It,s only a matter of weeks and the government will bring in new rules which will shut the game down.
There are talks around it been played after the Grand Final.
Why not play the grand final now while we still can. Parra versus Titans will do
Not a bad idea at all.