The NRL is breathing a huge sigh of relief after ARL Commission chairman Peter V'landys confirmed that the grand final will go ahead as originally planned at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night.
A fresh COVID-19 outbreak during the week had thrown the NRL's showpiece event in doubt in the days leading up to the match between the Penrith Panthers and South Sydney Rabbitohs, but it appears the NRL has dodged a massive bullet.
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Despite more exposure sites being named on Sunday morning, V'landys confirmed to Nine's NRL reporter Danny Weidler that the grand final venue would not be shifted.
https://twitter.com/Danny_Weidler/status/1444417569469861891
"It's great relief for the fans," he said. "It will be a game for the ages."
V'landys' call came after the Queensland suburbs North Lakes, Kippa-Ring and the area of the Brisbane Airport were named as the latest exposure sites, although all were classified as "moderate to low risk".
With the game confirmed for Brisbane, Queensland native and Broncos legend Sam Thaiday called it the state's "time to shine".
"This is something that all Queenslanders have been talking about probably since that 2015 grand final when we had two Queensland teams playing, and that was down in Sydney," he told Nine's TODAY.
"We have our chance and opportunity now to host what is one of the best games within the rugby league calendar.
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"It's our time to shine and if we do this right there should be that option in the future to maybe bring some finals and grand final footy here in the future as well.
"It's been great to see the whole NRL up here in Queensland and Queensland has definitely benefitted from it. Some of the regional areas too that have hosted games, Towoomba, Mackay, Rockhampton, those places have absolutely loved having the NRL up here this year."
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