V'landys reveals NRL masterplan amid lockdown

Relocation of games and the prospect of double-headers are among the possibilities for the NRL as ARLC chairman Peter V'landys strives to drive the competition through a major COVID-19 challenge.

Fresh fears have emerged surrounding the capability of the NRL to push through the growing cluster of COVID-19 in Sydney, after the NSW capital and several areas of the state were plunged into a two-week lockdown.

Six NRL games over the next two rounds are scheduled to be played in areas in lockdown, beginning with the Warriors' match against the Dragons on the Central Coast on Friday.

V'landys was his typical resolute self when asked about the latest coronavirus challenge on Nine's The Sunday Footy Show.

"It should have no impact at all. The competition will proceed as normal," V'landys said.

"Where we play the games is probably the one variant we need to look at. We don't want clubs to lose revenue by not having people at the game. It's also atmosphere for the people watching it on TV. So we'll do everything in our power to be flexible and change the games around. We may have some double-headers in specific areas so we can have crowds.

"But let me assure you that there is no chance of the competition not proceeding. It will proceed as normal, we proved last year that we can do it."

V'landys has always spoken very highly of the role of the players in the NRL forging ahead amid the pandemic, particularly since the 2020 competition re-started on May 28.

Five Bulldogs players – Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham, Aaron Schoupp, Sione Katoa and Corey Waddell – sent a scare through NRL headquarters when it was revealed they had broken protocols in being at The Royal Hotel in Bondi last week.

However, V'landys has remained supportive of the playing group.

"I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt to the Bulldogs players," V'landys said.

"Until they get due process and natural justice I don't want to pre-judge them. I want to give them the opportunity to defend themselves.

"One indiscretion doesn't take away the great effort of the players last year. They were conscientious, they were professional. There's 800 people in the bubble and … I hope people don't look at this one and judge the whole 800, because that would be grossly unfair."

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!