Jack de Belin caught out in Dragons Covid-19 breach

The plot has thickened in St George Illawarra’s biosecurity bubble breach as reports reveal Jack de Belin was told to come forward.

Jack de Belin in action.

Jack de Belin has reportedly been named as one of the 12 St George Illawarra Dragons players at the centre of the NRL’s Covid breach.

Fox Sports reporter James Hooper identified 11 of the Dragons players involved in the biosecurity breach – Paul Vaughan, Josh McGuire, Jack Bird, Blake Lawrie, Corey Norman, Kaide Ellis, Matt Dufty, Gerard Beale, Josh Kerr, Daniel Alvaro and Zac Lomax.

Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

It came after league reporter Danny Weidler reported that the players were caught out at a party at Vaughan’s house when someone put in a “noise complaint”.

NSW Police released a statement on Sunday evening: “About 9.40pm, officers from Lake Illawarra Police District attended a Shellharbour home, following reports of visitors at the home.

“Police spoke to the residents, a 30-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman.

“Four men – aged 21, 30, and two aged 24 – were also spoken to and it was determined they were not residents. They were all given directions to leave and return to their homes.

“Following inquiries, police have since spoken to a further seven men – aged 26, 28, two aged 30 and three aged 25 – who had also attended the home.

“The 11 visitors were unable to provide a valid reason for being away from home and they along with the two homeowners will be receiving $1000 PINS for breaching the Public Health Order.

“Police continue to appeal to the community to report suspected breaches of any ministerial direction or behaviour which may impact on the health and safety of the community.”

But the plot thickened on Monday when Weidler reported on Twitter that the Dragons made De Belin go to police after he admitted he was at the party.

EXCLUSIVE. Dragons made Jack De Belin go to the police - he admitted he was at the Vaughan party. The club is now dealing with a cover up. De Belin has now been fined $1000. @9NewsSyd@NRLonNinehttps://t.co/XR5szmYY1J

— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) July 5, 2021

It comes after Weidler reported that De Belin’s presence at the party was “strongly denied” by the club.

De Belin was slapped with a $1000 fine by police but it’s far from ideal for the star who is just over a month into his NRL return.

The Dragons have been caught out by Jack de Belin.

De Belin was stood down in February 2019 due to sexual assault allegations, which were dropped after the Director of Public Prosecutions decided he would not face a third sexual assault trial.

De Belin was welcomed back in the league with a standing ovation from Dragons fans.

Under current biosecurity regulations, NRL players must remain at home unless training, playing or “completing an essential household task”.

Players and officials are not permitted to welcome visitors into their homes under the Level 4 biosecurity protocols.

Last year, Vaughan was stood down for two weeks after visiting a cafe while biosecurity bubble regulations were being enforced.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys blasted the players’ arrogance and suggested they’d be punished further by the NRL.

“It’s just crazy. It’s crazy they think, one, that they can do it and two, that they can get away with it,” he said on Monday morning.

“I think there’s a touch of arrogance about it.

“Let’s just hope it sends a really good message now not just to NRL players, but to everyone.

“I’ve got no doubt the rugby league club and indeed the governing body will probably take some other action. I don’t think this will be the end of it for those people.”

Originally published as Jack de Belin caught out in Dragons Covid-19 breach