UPDATE: Melbourne Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy is hoping to finalise arrangements this morning to resume training ahead of the NRL season re-start on May 28.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He told SEN Breakfast this morning the Storm players would be back training on Wednesday, but was unable to confirm an exact location.
A short-term move to Albury is under consideration.
"It's a great question and one we are working through to dot all the i's and cross all the t's this morning," he said..
"We won't be in Victoria and we are working with the NSW Government to finalise and formalise some 11th hour discussions.
"We are confident we are heading in the right direction."
Mr Donaghy said he was confident the players would adapt to what was eventually decided.
"They are competitive beasts and they want to get back to do what they do," he said.
"They are no different to anyone else in society. They want to get back to work.
"Provided we are providing them with a safe and healthy environment which we are confident we are, they will head back in.
"For a lot of them it will feel like day one of pre-season."
EARLIER: Melbourne Storm is expected to concede early ground to its National Rugby League rivals as the club awaits the green light to resume training in Albury.
Clubs can start training again on Monday, but the Storm is sweating on NSW Government and NRL approval for a temporary move to Albury to overcome state of emergency measures in Victoria preventing it from staying in Melbourne.
Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said there would be no "special treatment" in the state of emergency to be reviewed next Monday.
The Storm had previously considered training in Albury before staying in Melbourne or going to Yarrawonga became preferred options.
It's unlikely council can block the move if ticked off by the NSW Government even though some councillors are privately expressing concerns about Storm coming to the city.
"Currently we are relying on the advice of the NSW Chief Medical Officer, NSW Government and the NRL," mayor Kevin Mack said.
"We are very mindful that community safety is paramount and this will be at the forefront of our considerations.
"Importantly, before any proposal is considered by our chief executive and executive staff, the appropriate approvals will be in place.
"I have requested that an urgent report be made to councillors in due course."
Ms Mikakos confirmed the exemption to train inside Victoria's border had been rejected.
"They sought an exemption, that exemption was not granted, no one is going to be getting special treatment," she said.
"It's important that all the decisions that are made are in the interest of the public health of Victorians, and that's exactly what's happened here."
Melbourne Storm co-owner Matt Tripp, who is from Yarrawonga, pushed the town's case hard.
Yarrawonga Football-Netball Club president Ross Mulquiney said plans for Storm to use the Pigeons' ground were well advanced with goal posts being erected late last week.
"Up until that stage we were planning on them being here Monday," Mr Mulquiney said.
"The main reason they liked our venue is they could stay at the golf club and a gym is also there.
"They could just walk across the weir bridge to training and be completely isolated from people.
"It's really disappointing for our community because it would have given us some fantastic exposure.
"But we've put some sleeves into a footy ground and if we need to set the ground up for them or someone else at some stage we've got them there."
Storm has been approached for comment.
