BY ADAM JOE

The country Queensland town of Calliope has proposed taking the entire NRL competition north as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to derail the premiership.

Just outside Gladstone, the resort boasts a whopping 1392 rooms.

“These are some of the best facilities you will ever see,” Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“If you’ve ever worked in fly-in, fly-out accommodation, this is the best bar none. It has swimming pools, each room has its own ensuite.

“We have the capacity to host every NRL team, plus (broadcasters) and offer them a quarantined, insulated facility away from COVID-19.

“I don’t believe anywhere else in Queensland, or Australia for that matter, could offer what we could offer.

“Marley Brown Oval has proven its ability to host the NRL.

“Two years ago during the Commonwealth Games we hosted the Gold Coast Titans versus the Manly Sea Eagles. Everyone had a fantastic time and wanted to come back again. Since then we’ve hosted the National Rugby Championships, the Queensland Reds and in terms of soccer the Brisbane Roar.

“We also have a significant regional airport, [runway] about 2000 metres long. We can host games at Marley Brown Oval and also act as a hub for games at Townsville or Brisbane. You could easily have a third of the games in Brisbane, a third in Townsville and a third in Gladstone.

“Between the three cities we could host this.”

Meanwhile disgraced Bulldogs players Jayden Okunbor and Corey Harawira-Naera have been given an extension to respond to breach notices from the NRL regarding their scandalous trip in the pre-season to Port Macquarie.