The Canberra Raiders could have their game with the Cronulla Sharks on the Gold Coast switched to the 5.30pm timeslot to form a double header with the Melbourne Storm.
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The rapidly evolving coronavirus outbreak in Melbourne, which forced Victoria into a five-day lockdown, meant the Storm were forced to relocate to Queensland to join every other NRL team.
All 11 clubs based in Greater Sydney, including the New Zealand Warriors, joined the Raiders in moving north for at least the next four weeks - although that could be longer depending on the Sydney lockdown.
There was a hope within the Raiders camp they could return to Canberra earlier though - given there hasn't been a COVID-19 case in the ACT for more than a year.
But the chances of that happening might now be over with the Storm forced to flee Victoria on Thursday - with Melbourne's State of Origin stars no sooner arriving home from Wednesday night's series decider on the Gold Coast and they had to pack their bags to move back to Queensland for the next month.
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It will be their third stint in the Banana State in the past year, having spent 47 days based there this season as well as being based there for most of last season.
The move means the Storm-Newcastle Knights game, scheduled to be played in Melbourne on Saturday night, will also have to find a new home in South-East Queensland.
That could be as a double header with the Raiders-Sharks game shift, which would shift from 3pm to 5.30pm, with the North Queensland Cowboys-Sydney Roosters match in Townsville coming forward to 3pm.
The Raiders confirmed on social media they were working with the NRL on this weekend's fixture.
"The Raiders are working with the @NRL on our fixture against the @Cronulla_Sharks this weekend," they tweeted.
"As soon as we are in a position to provide more information we will.
"We appreciate your patience while this process happens."
NRL ROUND 18
Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Cronulla Sharks at the Gold Coast, 3pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Xavier Savage, 2. Semi Valemei, 3. Jarrod Croker, 4. Sebastian Kris, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson, 10. Emre Guler, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 12. Hudson Young, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Joseph Tapine, 16. Iosia Soliola, 17. Ryan James. Reserves: 18. Matthew Timoko, 19. Trey Mooney, 20. Matt Frawley, 21. Harley Smith-Shields.
Sharks squad: 1. Will Kennedy, 2. Sione Katoa, 3. Connor Tracey, 4. Jesse Ramien, 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo, 6. Braydon Trindall, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Blayke Brailey, 10. Aaron Woods, 11. Briton Nikora, 12. Teig Wilton, 13. Toby Rudolf. Interchange: 14. Mawene Hiroti, 15. Siosifa Talakai, 16. Jack Williams, 17. Braden Hamlin-Uele. Reserves: 18. Billy Magoulias, 19. Royce Hunt, 20. Andrew Fifita, 21. Luke Metcalf.
David Polkinghorne
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
Covering the Raiders, Cavalry, cycling and racing, plus everything else that involves sport in the ACT, for The Canberra Times. Basically I love sport and watching it is a full-time job. Email: david.polkinghorne@canberratimes.com.au
