Roosters, Bulldogs clash set to go ahead after Tolman cleared of COVID-19
The postponed NRL clash between the Roosters and Bulldogs is set to go ahead on Monday after Aiden Tolman was cleared of COVID-19.
Tolman was tested for coronavirus after a staff member at his eldest child's school - Laguna Street Public School in Caringbah - tested positive earlier in the week.
"The staff member has had contact with most students at the school during the period they may have been infectious," the NSW Department of Education said in a statement on Saturday.
The school was closed until June 24 and all students were instructed to self-isolate. The Bulldogs informed the NRL of Tolman's connection on Saturday night.
The NRL responded by postponing the Bulldogs' clash with the Dragons game on Sunday afternoon, and sent Tolman - along with all other players and staff in the Bulldogs' bubble - for tests.
Tolman's test came back negative on Sunday afternoon and though the NRL will officially wait until the rest of the Bulldogs' test results come back before giving Monday's match the official green light, the game is expected to go ahead.
The NRL has brought forward the game initially slated for 6pm on Sunday - between the Dragons and Sharks - to 4pm.
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys described the risk of the virus spreading to Bulldogs players as "remote" but the NRL wanted certainty before allowing them 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," V'landys 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."
Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill confirmed the 32 players and 18 staff in the club's bubble will now be tested for COVID-19.
"Once we found out about Aiden’s situation we immediately informed the NRL and have been working with them overnight which ultimately led to the decision to postpone the game until tomorrow," Hill said.
"This is an unprecedented situation, but we will make sure that we take all the necessary precautions required and get everyone within our bubble tested and cleared over the next 24 hours."