NRL confirms Round 5 schedule change

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The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) this morning approved changes to the Round 5 schedule to ensure the health and safety of the playing group and community after a remote risk to the Bulldogs squad emerged last night.

The Bulldogs last night informed the NRL that a teacher at a school attended by children of one Bulldogs player had tested positive to COVID-19.

As a result, the player has been placed into isolation and will be tested for COVID-19 today. To ensure no risk to the playing group and community, the Commission has delayed today's match between the Bulldogs and the Roosters to allow the test results to return. 

The revised schedule will be:

• 4:05pm today (Sunday 14 June): St George Illawarra Dragons v Cronulla Sharks (brought forward from 6:30pm today)
• 7:00pm tomorrow (Monday 15 June): Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Sydney Roosters (moved from 4:05pm today).

ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys AM said while the risk the virus had spread to the Bulldogs playing group was remote the Commission wanted absolute certainty before allowing the team to play.

"There's a very remote risk of infection within the Bulldogs squad. To ensure there is no risk at all, the player will be tested today and the game delayed until tomorrow to ensure the test results have returned. I want to congratulate the Bulldogs for swiftly informing the NRL,'' he said.

"I want to thank our broadcast partners for their assistance, at very short notice, in changing the schedule. The changes will ensure our fans will still be able to watch a game on free to air television this afternoon," he said.