How each club has reacted to the NRL's historic decision to suspend the Telstra Premiership due to concerns around the global coronavirus pandemic.
Club CEOs were informed of the decision on Monday evening, with CEO Todd Greenberg and ARLC chairman Peter V'landys announcing the hiatus shortly afterwards in a hastily convened media conference at Rugby League Central in Sydney.
Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane coach Anthony Seibold has thanked the club’s members and supporters for their support in the face of the COVID-19 virus threat – and vowed to have his team ready to roll if and when the premiership resumes.
Canberra Raiders
Raiders CEO Don Furner said although the news was extremely disappointing, the club respects the decision and would best prepare as they could to return to the field when they are able. Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said rugby league would bounce back.
NRL suspends season in wake of COVID-19 outbreak
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Canterbury CEO Andrew Hill said "it is fair to say that the game has never faced a bigger challenge than what is ahead of us right now".
The Bulldogs football club including players and staff were stood down on Monday indefinitely.
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta said "these are unprecedented times and the health and wellbeing of everybody concerned is of paramount importance".
Gold Coast Titans
Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said right from the start of this crisis, they have been fully supportive of the NRL in their direction and handling of this extraordinary situation. That support remains absolute in light of this unprecedented announcement.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Sea Eagles CEO Stephen Humphreys has issued an open letter to supporters to say when the advice of the NRL’s biosecurity and pandemic experts changed, the NRL made the right decision.
Melbourne Storm
Storm CEO Dave Donaghy issued a statement to say they supported the decision and that "like many others in businesses, industries and the general community, this is an incredible and unprecedented challenge".
Newcastle Knights
The Knights have issued a statement to say they are "saddened but agree with the NRL’s decision to suspend the 2020 season, effective immediately". CEO Philip Gardner, coach Adam O’Brien and general manager of football Danny Buderus held a media conference on Tuesday to detail the club's next steps.
New Zealand Warriors
Club CEO Cameron George said the Warriors' immediate priority was getting their players home after their extended stay in Australia due to the travel restrictions announced because of the pandemic. The Warriors returned to Auckland on Tuesday afternoon with the club now seeking government support.
North Queensland Cowboys
Speaking on Nine's 100% Footy on Monday night, Cowboys legend Johnathan Thurston said the community needed to remain united in this unprecedented time.
"No one's been through this as a society, as a game. The thought of clubs collapsing is a scary thought. What we have to do is get through it together, it’s the only thing we can do," he said. "It’s a scary situation.
"It’s a strange feeling for a lot of the people out there. We just need to look out for each other and get each other through this difficult time we’re facing."
Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel said in a statement on Tuesday the club were exploring their next steps for players and staff.
Parramatta Eels
Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos said "we understand as a club and community that the priority at this time is to follow the recommendations from the health experts and support our friends, colleagues and families".
Penrith Panthers
Nathan Cleary on Nine's 100% Footy: "It's a bit tough for some of the younger boys who don't have contracts for next year not knowing what's going on with pay and what not but there are a lot of people in worse positions than we are at the moment."
The entire Panthers football club was stood down from work commitments on Monday indefinitely.
St George Illawarra Dragons
Dragons forward Trent Merrin posted a serious message with a bit of levity as he prepares to lift his Uno game.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell used Instagram to reflect on a wild start to the 2020 season.
Sydney Roosters
Roosters coach Trent Robinson on Fox League on Tuesday morning said: "It's a tough time. Today the first thing was talking to the players, we were lucky enough to have them all in the room when we found out the news. On Wednesday we’ll come in and discuss what comes next for them."
Wests Tigers
Club chairman Lee Hagipantelis issued a statement on Tuesday morning to say "Never in the 100 plus year history of rugby league has it faced a threat of this kind. It is of course not only rugby league but the broader community that is having to deal with the ramifications of COVID-19 and the disruption to our daily lives. Our thoughts are with those who have taken ill or perhaps even lost a loved one to this virus."
