Hoops

Given Victorian COVID-19 situation, will NBL go ahead?

Mccarron and Acuil have covid.

I'm sorry you are not allowed on hoops. You admitted you were wrong.

[We know some of those guards were recruited via WhatsApp, paid $25 per hr as contractors, and received no training on COVID whatsoever].

I should add, we also know many of them weren't taking their roles seriously, or trying to stop the spread of COVID

It's also strongly rumoured (and I heard these whispers well before this was mentioned in the media, so I'm pretty confident it's true) that guards were sleeping with quarantined guests

Now, of course it's possible that military personnel would also fail to take COVID seriously. But, how likely is that? I know plenty of ADF and reserves people, and they're all professionals who take their duties seriously and know how to follow a chain of command.

Compared this to security guards- where companies are run for profit and contracts given to the lowest bidder, staff get their security licenses from Weetbix packets, get paid peanuts, and many had no COVID training.

Consider which group is likely to manage quarantine better.

The National Cabinet recommended ADF personnel manage quarantine, and offered ADF Personnel.

Other states ran with this recommendation.

Victoria said “No thanks, we’ll use private security guards”.

We know some of those guards were recruited via WhatsApp, paid $25 per hr as contractors, and received no training on COVID whatsoever.

In other words, Victoria could’ve had professional military personnel managing quarantine. Instead we ended up with lowly paid and untrained contractors. They probably drive Ubers on Fridays and do security on Saturday.

Victoria is now the only state with a major outbreak. All of Victoria’s cases could conceivably be linked to hotels (Chief Health Officer Sutton said this a few weeks ago).

Politics aside, if those are the facts, which they seem to be, then someone has to be held accountable for this. Absolutely appalling. Very important decisions in crisis management, and they effed it up monumentally.

It's hardly political to suggest there's hypocrisy in "The Victorian Government were too strict" followed by "The Victorian Government was complacent". If you're believing that line of argument, you're going to believe anything critical of the Victorian Government.

Realistically, you're then criticising those in Victorian Health advising.

In respect of the Federal Government and Aged Care - the Federal Government threatened the Aged Care sector with penalties if they didn't open up - against the advice the Aged Care providers. I was part of that call.

"No they are being criticised for hiring incompetent people which you blatantly failed to mention."

One could reasonably expect when hiring a Security firm that those things would not occur.

If we are in the business of criticising Governments for their hiring of Security firms, the Federal Government are no better, I was part of that litigation no more than a few years ago in the Manus Island Class Action.

Victoria gave the contracts to security firms and then they subcontracted to make a profit. The firms that actually did the work were given no formal training etc

"State Government is criticised for hiring security firm to do security instead of the military, I cannot imagine "security guards will bang infected residents" was much of an anticipated risk."

They were told by their own experts in March they needed police in charge of quarantine.

Now vs a month ago....very different propositions for the NBL sadly.

Unfortunately the politics is getting into it.

Federal Government and media criticised Victoria for being too heavy handed, now they're criticising Victoria for being complacent.

State Government is criticised for hiring security firm to do security instead of the military, I cannot imagine "security guards will bang infected residents" was much of an anticipated risk.


If people are going to be that dumb in society, we won't get over the infection very quickly, if the Federal Government is going to play the game of politics then we're in trouble because that is just as dumb a thing to do when it comes to avoiding the spread.

We need the Federal Liberals to stop being numpties, and the general Public to stop trying to party and bang infected people.

Nice rebuttal

#480 you may want to check your source for your 4,500,000 deaths from Malnutrition. Channel 7 just put up the numbers for deaths world wide in 2020. COVID was 3rd behind diabetes and TB with 635,000 deaths with malnutrition well below on 235,000

Classified as essential. Quarantine. Play December away from Victoria. (Start date is still 4 months away)

486 yeah you probably are

Is starvation a contagious disease? If I sit next to you will I catch it from you? COVID is not the flu.

No NBL for season 20/21

PLANDEMIC GOT EVERYBODY GOING NUTS.

4,500,000 PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM STARVATION IN 2020 AND THE CURE IS FOOD, YET THE WORLD IS SHUT OVER THE FLU.

Stage 4 wouldn't make a difference, because the workplaces it's spreading in aged care and food processing would remain open anyway.

I think you will find some interesting contingencies being planned

I was thinking that, based on the 14 days, but hoping I was wrong. Maybe due to people taking longer to get symptoms, or delaying getting tested?

A lot can happen between then and now. Things might be okay again in Victoria and NSW, or they may not. 129 days ago, Victoria announced 17 new cases, 139 active cases and 6 people in hospital. Today Victoria announced 532 new cases, 6 new deaths, 4,542 active cases, 245 people in hospital and 44 people in ICUs. So a lot can change in 129 days. And they're talking about shutting down more industries and workplaces, not opening them up.

If no crowds in Victoria there will be no NBL

see if Community transmission cases start to drop off over the next couple of weeks, meaning their lockdowns have worked, or if things just continue to go to shit.

The lag time is about two weeks. Melbourne is on week three, so we should be well into lockdown-affected numbers by now, and case-per-day numbers are still climbing.

Yeah the SBC just off high street

129 days to go until Kestleman's planned start date of ("on or around") December 3.

A lot can happen between then and now. Things might be okay again in Victoria and NSW, or they may not. 129 days ago, Victoria announced 17 new cases, 139 active cases and 6 people in hospital. Today Victoria announced 532 new cases, 6 new deaths, 4,542 active cases, 245 people in hospital and 44 people in ICUs. So a lot can change in 129 days. And they're talking about shutting down more industries and workplaces, not opening them up.

Even if things are peachy by December 3, I doubt we'll have NBL teams flying freely back and forth inside a "Tasman bubble". (Notice no-one's mentioned even the possibility of that bubble for at least 2 months - well before the current outbreaks.) Makes Breakers' involvement a big question mark (as per poster above), even if Victoria and NSW can get down to a handful of new cases per day, and stay there.

How much will NBL lose from betting rights if no season goes ahead? That is another element to include in the equation as to what should happen.

I seem to recall Loeliger being reported as saying the NBL needs crowds. Not sure if you can read that as meaning no crowds => no NBL season?

Thinking about what will need to happen for the season to proceed, does anyone know if the NBL and clubs have COVID-19 safety plans drafted and whether any have been reviewed by the relevant state government agencies?

Also, does anyone know if clubs, players and coaches are adding COVID-19/pandemic/force majeure clauses into their contracts for the coming season(s)? Similarly, are they trying to get venues to agree to such clauses?

Things like those might affect how late the NBL and clubs could leave a decision about the season going ahead or not, and in what form.

Would a move to another city for a season be an option. Can a Canberra, Townsville, etc be able to be a host city for one season. Would think some sport fans would be able to get a couple thousand maybe to cover costs of move.

So if things go well and the season can start, will our clubs have any issue having our imports arrive in time, will our teams even be able to find imports or will it be more about finding players that formerly were in the league rather than the unproven imports we get each season?

see if Community transmission cases start to drop off over the next couple of weeks, meaning their lockdowns have worked, or if things just continue to go to shit.

They're not going to nix a season because of two teams, especially if there are options. If "no crowds in Melbourne" was the only problem, then they'll have to start with a bunch of away games, and if still not solved, they either sell their home games elsewhere, or play behind closed doors.
The bigger problem will be if there are still real restrictions on their travel,
OR if Covid actually gets into the teams.

I think at this point the critical thing will be to see if Community transmission cases start to drop off over the next couple of weeks, meaning their lockdowns have worked, or if things just continue to go to shit.

At the moment I'm a hell of lot more worried about my daughter, than the NBL

And I should add, I could be wrong but my gut feel is, I don't think the NBL will do hubs etc.

I doubt the NBL would even bother going ahead if 2 of the clubs won't be getting crowd.

Who would pay the salaries of the United and SEM players without those clubs getting much revenue?

Or maybe Larry would just stump up and offer to keep United and SEM running? Maybe. Possible I guess.

I haven't done enough research to say.

In other countries with this level of community transmission, has anyone really got the virus under control within 2-3 months?

I'm guessing the Andrews government wouldn't allow crowds at sports until the community transmission is back in the single figures every day. Is that even feasible within the next 2-3 months? If not, there's no way the NBL goes ahead of Melbourne in December.

^ still an idiot

Unlike the AFL, and the NBL of seasons past, it is nolonger absurdly Victoria centric. Plus LK has shown he has a vision for the whole league.

A few weeks back, I though the Melbourne clubs might have been hesitant, but since FA opened they have moved ahead with some good (albeit mostly young) signings.

I thought the biggest impact would be to their pre-season, but if they're allowed full training, that's not a really an issue.

The problem with games isn't so much whether you can play in Melbourne, its getting the teams into the other cities. And at the moment Perth is one of the biggest problems. Serving 2 weeks iso before every Perth game, just isn't going to work.

It's still 4 months away, so a lot can change, but we might for example wee a scenario where there are no games played in hotspots (eg Melbourne) and teams behind hard borders (eg Perth) may have to relocate for a prolonged period.

I think at a bare minimum, the NBL will need to consider:
Reducing travel, so no-more crossing the continent every weekend;
Condensing the season, so two games very week for every team;
Playing double-headers, so you fly to your opponents city and play both away games;
and ultimately perhaps shortening the season. If the start gets pushed back any further, then I don;t think they have much choice.

Who is paying for that?

An alternative 'home' would get over one particular issue, but what about :

- Availability of venue?
- Suitability of venue (NBL level?)
- Will the fans there adopt their new team for 1 season? I don't think so.
- Who is going to pay for the team plus staff plus possibly family to stay there for 4-5 months?

I suggested a couple of days ago to put them in Tassie, or even Wellington!
Maybe put (dis) United in Hobart and perhaps The Wellington Phoenix...

Is the Phoenix home training ground big enough to hold a couple of NBL games if there was an Oz Open/NBL clash just to avoid those United/Phoenix home games from being pushed so far back?

Nbl cannot afford hubs

You wouldn't want to be Phoenix/United.

What's the solution? Delay their home game fixtures and back-load it?

What's the likelihood of Australian Open happening in some form?

Will that affect the NBL and mean that United/Phoenix don't play home games until February?

Is the Phoenix home training ground big enough to hold a couple of NBL games if there was an Oz Open/NBL clash just to avoid those United/Phoenix home games from being pushed so far back?

All the questions.

It's still five months away, at least. I wouldn't be surprised to see it delayed further.

Rockets – Tigers
Women: Big game for the Tigeresses. Rockettes hotter than a Hawaiin volcano in volcano season. A sacrifice might help, but there’s no way to sugar coat this. Rockettes by about 40.
Men: Why is it that the Peach is the only player listed on the Rockets website with his middle name? I bet that’s something his mum’s shouted from the backdoor many a time, usually followed by “wait until your father get’s home” Tigers with a valiant effort last round will push the Rockets all the way and my little result calculator says the Tigers by 5, but I have a feeling the Peach will be the party pooper. Sometimes you just gotta put the stones on the line. Tigers.

Panthers – Flames
Women: If last week was a Lionhunt, then the big cat adventures continue this week as Pritchard’s predators pounce perfectly to pacify, placate and prevail over the Panthers.
Men: Flames racing up the ladder will sparkle tonight. South could get up, then again so could Julia in September. Norwood’s fight will ensure a top 5 spot. You know Marion always looks bigger on the inside.

Sabres – Warriors
Women: On paper a Sabres victory should be as certain as a Waterhouse trained horse. BUT, when the form guide is studied closer, the only thing that is really holding the fillies from the working class burbs back is their woeful shooting %. Both teams have put up exactly 434 FG’s so far this season with the Sabres banging down 169 of them to a paultry 132 for the Woodies girls. Good shooting could see them more joyous than their more fancied opponents, otherwise Sabres to easily pull away in the final stretch.
Men: The Ninja returns to Pasadena tonight. Everyone’s a Warrior’s fan these days. And why not? they’re as cool as Commander Hadfield and bow ties. How many Woodville teams can say they have beaten Sturt at Pasandena? This one can.

Lions – Bearcats
Women: I was a bit devvo when I heard that Jess and Dessie have quit Westies. I was looking forward to this game. Now it’s just another game. Westies to keep KB’s drought going. Time for a VB KB.
Men: After a great start, the Lions have lost their last 2. Better make that 3 in a row after DJ runs riot - he won’t have time to tuck himself in tonight. Veni, vidi, vici to Belly’s boys.

Eagles – Mavericks
Women: Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company, and to Wayville for a great game of basketball. Yep, not even a leaking roof can stop Tess from embarassing the Eagles on their home court. Mavs by single digits in what is the MOTR, maybe the year’s MOTR so far this year.
Men: Nothing sucks more than that moment during a game when you realize you’re gunna lose. It’s even worse when that moment is when the orange nugget is first thrown in the air. If the Feagles don’t bag this one they don’t deserve to be in the top 5. If the Feagles start saying “exterminate”, just run.