Club officials have also looked at Albury-Wodonga but a decision on the potential short-term move was not confirmed at the time the Corowa Free Press was going to print.
Current director, shareholder and Yarrawonga local Matt Tripp, who will take over as chairman of the Storm on May 22, is keen to see the team train in his home-town but understands all options need to be put on the table before a definite decision is made.
“A decision will be made today, hopefully,” he said on Tuesday.
“The local community have been very accommodating and supportive, but we will see what the best option is once we have received advice from the Victorian Government.
“Yarrawonga Mulwala is by far the number one choice of all towns along the Murray River,” Matt said.
Storm officials visited the area again on Monday to further evaluate the suitability of the towns, looking at training facilities and accommodation, particularly those currently dormant at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort. Officials were also impressed with the facilities at Yarrawonga’s JC Lowe Oval.
The NRL wish to resume the 2020 competition on May 28 and Melbourne Storm want to start training as early as Monday.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy said his players have a ‘spring in their step’ and said the club is willing to do anything for the competition to resume.
“Ideally, we’d like longer than three weeks to get ready for the competition if it is to start on May 28, but there are a lot of things that aren’t ideal at the moment so we will make do,” he said.
“Obviously we will be isolated from the community as well, we would like to go to training and go to the gym without meeting up with people in the community. We want to keep them safe and us.”
NSW deputy premier John Barilaro confirmed last week the state government will consider allowing non NSW-based teams into regional towns on the advice of health experts in a bid to accommodate the competition’s planned resumption.
Barilaro said teams would be able to access facilities such as recreational centres and training fields while being housed with limited contact to the local community.
The NRL put forward a proposal to state governments last Wednesday, April 22.
“I’ve always said from the outset, it’s about the protocols and measures that will be put in place to protect one, the players and two, the community,” Barilaro said.
“But you are already allowed to travel to the regions for work.
“So, if you look at the sport of NRL it is an industry, it’s a job for those players, it is work-related. We’ve never said anything more than that.
“In a contained environment using enclosed and closed facilities like our sport and recreation centres, you have an ability to manage the risk and that’s what we’re talking about.
“There are a lot of naysayers and obstacles but as the deputy premier I’m helping and working with the NRL to find solutions.”
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