State of Origin III: Police warn Greater Sydney Residents they will be caught

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police are warning those from the Greater Sydney region will be caught if they attempt to enter State of Origin III in Newcastle.

The game was moved to McDonald Jones Stadium on Wednesday due to the extension of Sydney's strict COVID-19 lockdown.

Fans located in Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour will not be permitted to purchase tickets.

Detective Superintendent Wayne Humphrey says there will be a large police presence in and around the stadium.

"I know people know about certain exemptions around drinking and eating, that has to be active.

"You can't sit there with a beer between your feet and watch the footy with your mask off. We are not going to allow it.

"We will be moving through the stadium in large numbers and if you don't comply you will get a $200 ticket.

"But the big message is do not come if you are from Greater Sydney," Supt. Humphrey said.

A petition which has been launched online calling for the game to be cancelled has reached almost 3,000 signatures as of Friday morning. 

The game will be played in front of a 75 per cent capacity allowing up to 20,000 fans to watch the game live.

Pictured McDonald Jones Stadium Venue Manager, Dean Mantle
and Superintendent Wayne Humphrey.

CONFIRMED: State of Origin III to be played in Newcastle

BY JARROD MELMETH

It's been confirmed, Newcastle will host State of Origin III on July 14. 

The game is set to be played at McDonald Jones Stadium in front of a 75 per cent capacity crowd of around 23,000 fans.

It will be the first Origin game in NSW to be played outside of Sydney. 

The game was due to be played at Stadium Australia in Sydney but an alterative venue has been sought after since Sydney's strict COVID-19 lockdown was announced on June 26.

The NSW Government announced on Wednesday morning the hard lockdown would be extended for a further seven days, ruling out the Sydney venue completely. 

The Broadmeadow venue has been a front runner to host the match in the days since with the Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys, as well as Knights legends Kurt Gidley, Danny Buderus, Paul Harragon and Andrew Johns throwing their support behind the proposal.

South Sydney's Friday night clash with North Queensland is also being moved to Newcastle.

It's understood the Queensland government pushed to have Friday's game moved after a venue in Olympic Park was listed as a COVID-19 exposure site.

Pictured: McDonald Jones Stadium.
Source: McDonald Jones Stadium Facebook.