Dolphins players Kenny Bromwich, Mark Nicholls and Kodi Nikorima won't play in the side's season opener against South Sydney as Queensland prepares for Cyclone Alfred to make landfall.
Initially scheduled to be played at Suncorp Stadium, the game was moved to Sydney due to the lingering impact of the wild weather up north.
According to an earlier report from The Courier Mail, Nicholls' home was deemed at risk of flash flooding, while Nikorima's wife had been vocal about the rescheduling.
Dolphins forward Mark Nicholls is tackled by Manly's Matt Lodge. Getty
However, the official team list for the Dolphins on the NRL website has been updated, with both Nikorima and Nicholls absent. Bromwich also did not fly with the team.
They will be replaced in the 17 by Sean O'Sullivan and Josh Kerr.
While the NRL opted not to postpone, the AFL elected to take a cautious approach
"The NRL said the safety of players, fans and the community were the highest priority when considering the venue change," a statement on Tuesday read.
The decision to relocate the game and separate Queensland-based players and staff from their families has raised some eyebrows.
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In a since-deleted Instagram post, the wife of Nikorima, Bree, claimed that the NRL was abandoning the vulnerable families of players and staff.
"Leaving the families behind to ride out the direct line of cyclone alone. Some with no support at all," she wrote.
"I'm six months pregnant with 2 young kids in an area that can flood, disgusting.
"Do better, NRL."
Bree and Kodi Nikorima at the Dolphins' 2025 season launch. Instagram
Brisbane's season opener with the Sydney Roosters will be held as scheduled at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on Thursday night.
Speaking to media in Sydney, coach Michael Maguire explained the club's contingency plan to support partners and families, which he describes as "really proactive".
"Our chief exec (Dave Donaghy) came down last night and he actually turned around and went back just so he's in town and making sure that everyone is safe while the team's down," he said.
"They're talking and getting out to the partners and wives and making sure that everyone is safe throughout this situation. The club's doing a great job in that space, being the first time that I've experienced something like this.
"Now it's just a matter of waiting and seeing how it pans out but there's a lot of communication with the families."
Michael Maguire speaks to media in Sydney as the Broncos prepare for Cyclone Alfred. Nine
Maguire admitted there was a feeling of anticipation amongst the group and is hopeful they can keep their minds on the job against the Tricolours.
"We are talking about it," he said.
"I think that's the best way of doing it is making sure we communicate between us.
"We're going into the unknown when you fave things like this, and we've just got to deal with it the best we can."
The Broncos will face the Roosters at 8pm AEDT on Thursday.