Canberra Raiders could turn to licenced clubs to ease burden in NRL suspension

But government restrictions have forced the seven clubs which form the Raiders Group - five in the ACT/southern NSW and two in Queensland - to shut their doors.

It is a major blow to the club's back pocket with rugby league supremos already bracing for the suspension of the season due to the coronavirus to have a "catastrophic" impact.

Licenced clubs have been forced to close as part of the Australian government's measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 which will leave a significant hole to fill for a raft of NRL clubs.

Respected rugby league voice Phil Gould fears not all 16 clubs will survive the pandemic with several moving to stand down staff in a bid to slash costs.

MORE SPORT

The Queanbeyan Leagues Club's financial reports showed $8,155,195 in cash and cash equivalent assets at the end of October 2019, with QLC chairman John McIntyre committed to doing whatever it takes to keep the Raiders afloat.

"It just depends on what pans out and how long the ceasing of the NRL premiership lasts, how long it's in limbo," McIntyre said.

"That will tell that story. The whole group will be doing its best to meet all of our obligations with whatever assistance we can provide.

"We're doing our best. Don Furner as chief executive under the leadership of chairman Allan Hawke, they'll do their utmost to make sure we come through this.

"From their priority point of view, the health, safety and welfare of the players, staff and fans comes first. As Ricky Stuart was quoted as saying, we're all in this together."

NRL players have said they are willing to take pay cuts to help ease the burden on their clubs as they wait for normality to be restored.

When that happens is anyone's guess with NRL chiefs prepared to cancel the season if play does not resume by September 1 as they consider a range of different scenarios for a return to action.

June has been earmarked as the earliest possible start date for the NRL season, with allowances being made in draft fixtures for games to be played until Christmas.

The Canberra Raiders Cup has been pushed back until May but could shift again, with the pandemic raising concerns about the viability of local clubs across a range of codes.

"We've got to keep control," McIntyre said.

"The other important one too is a few of the Canberra clubs in the Raiders Group help finance the Canberra Raiders Cup teams.

"It's disappointing but the priority has got to be slowing down this COVID-19. As the wonderful Prime Minister of New Zealand said, they had 102 cases over there and Italy had 102 cases at one stage.

"You shudder at that thought."

We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we want to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you're looking to stay up to date on COVID-19, you can also sign up for our twice-daily digest here. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.