Top AFL commentator Gerard Whateley blasts the NRL for lacking ‘human decency’ in stunning attack

Leading AFL commentator Gerard Whateley has accused the NRL of lacking ‘human decency’ after relocating the round one clash between the Dolphins and Rabbitohs from Brisbane to Sydney due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The decision was in stark contrast to the AFL, who postponed two matches in Queensland, starting on Thursday night at the Gabba when the Lions were due to tackle Geelong in the footy code’s season opener.

Additionally, Saturday’s tussle between the Gold Coast and Essendon will also be played at a later date.

Whateley was in disbelief at the NRL’s decision, believing having Dolphins players away from their families and homes before an impending Category 2 cyclone lacked empathy and common sense.

‘There was probably a shred of human decency,’ Whateley said on SEN Radio in reference to the AFL’s decision to postpone their two Queensland fixtures.

‘But you [NRL] are asking footballers and staff to leave their families and their houses during a period of maximum anxiety and threat.

Commentator Gerard Whateley has accused the NRL of lacking ‘human decency’ after relocating the clash between the Dolphins and Rabbitohs from Brisbane to Sydney due to Tropical Cyclone Alfred

Whateley has a supporter in Bree Nikorima – the wife of Dolphins NRL star Kodi Nikorima – who slammed the fixture being shifted to Parramatta on Friday

Brisbane Lions skipper Lachie Neale has revealed fears for his family’s safety would have seen him refuse to play against Geelong if the AFL hadn’t decided to postpone the match

‘We sometimes treat our footballers so callously. There wouldn’t be many professions in the coming days that would demand residents in Brisbane, Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast leave their homes and entertain the public while this [Tropical Cyclone] is happening.’

Whateley has a supporter in Bree Nikorima – the wife of Dolphins NRL star Kodi Nikorima – who slammed the fixture being shifted interstate to Commbank Stadium in Parramatta on Friday.

‘Because a game of football is THAT IMPORTANT,’ she wrote in a since deleted post on Instagram.

‘Leaving the families behind to ride out the direct line of cyclone alone. Some with no support at all. 

‘I’m six months pregnant with two young kids in an area that can flood, disgusting.

‘Do better @nrl,’ she concluded, but not before publishing a ‘vomit-face’ emoji.

Meanwhile, Brisbane Lions skipper Lachie Neale has revealed fears for his family’s safety would have seen him refuse to play against the Geelong Cats if the AFL hadn’t decided to postpone the match.

‘I wouldn’t have played, I would’ve stayed here [Brisbane] with [wife] Jules and the kids,’ he said on AFL 360 on Tuesday.

‘So unless they [AFL] were willing to fly families as well – which on pretty short notice I’m not sure if they could have organised that – but if they were able to fly families out of town, then I would’ve done it.

‘But I wouldn’t have left Jules here with our three-year-old daughter and a 10-week, 11-week-old little boy.’