NewsBite

Sacked Dragons star Paul Vaughan denies alarming house party rumour

Troubled NRL star Paul Vaughan was overcome by emotion during an appearance on NRL 360, insisting that he’s still “a good person”.

Paul Vaughan was overcome with emotion.
Paul Vaughan was overcome with emotion.

NRL star Paul Vaughan’s career is in tatters after seeing his $800,000 contract torn to shreds for his Covid-19 breach.

Vaughan hosted a party that was attended by numerous St George players — including Jack de Belin and Corey Norman — resulting in hefty fines and suspensions handed down to all 13 footy stars involved.

The Dragons sacked the prop on Tuesday due to his third breach of contract — coming after he was pinged breaking the biosecurity bubble by visiting a cafe last year.

Vaughan finally broke his silence over the scandal on Tuesday night, and seemed resigned to his fate as Dragons powerbrokers met to decide what action needed to be taken.

“I understand there was things in place they had to look at today in the investigation,” Vaughan said on NRL 360.

“I did understand that was going to go forward, I just had to sort of wait and hear the outcome of what was going to happen.

“It was a very, very bad judgment call on my behalf and it was obviously very stupid and I’m deeply, deeply remorseful and sorry for what’s happened. I can’t express that enough.

“Like I said, it was a terrible judgment call and one that I very much regret.

“Obviously not the right thing to do, in hindsight it was a very stupid thing to do.”

Despite Vaughan now finding himself without a club, he believes he still has plenty to offer to the game.

“I really hope not,” Vaughan said on whether it was the end for him in rugby league.

Vaughan finds himself without a club after being sacked by the Dragons.
Vaughan finds himself without a club after being sacked by the Dragons.

“It really pains me to see the impact that it’s had on the game. It’s hit me really hard, it’s really heartbreaking for me.

“I never wanted this to happen and I’d love to continue playing NRL.

“I still have a burning desire to not only continue on playing but to prove myself to people that I’m a good person and to repay the faith.

“I’m a good person, I truly believe that, I just want to show people that and if I get the opportunity to play again, I’d love to do that.”

Vaughan began to break down when NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent asked what went through his mind when the police came knocking on his door.

“It was pretty disappointing to be honest, it was … sorry,” Vaughan said. “It’s hard to … keep on. I don’t really have the answers.”

The former Origin forward was most upset at letting down his wife and daughter.

“I’m just worried about my family and put things in place that I can best look after them, and provide for them, which is something that will be tough but that’s just something I have to handle,” Vaughan said.

“For my daughter and for my wife it’s hard to handle that (media attention). My wife doesn’t deserve this. That’s something that’s really hard for me to take.”

Vaughan refuted rumours women, including wives and partners, joined the players at the party. If that was the case, then the club’s bio-secure bubble may have been breached and the entire NRL put at risk.

“It was just us players throughout the day. That’s all I can say mate,” Vaughan said.

Vaughan believes he still has a role to play for a willing NRL club.
Vaughan believes he still has a role to play for a willing NRL club.

A total of $305,000 in fines was handed out to the 13 Dragons players involved, with all 12 apart from Vaughan copping one-match suspensions that will be spread out over the course of three weeks, to allow the club to field a team.

Wild details of the house party emerged on Monday, with de Belin allegedly hiding under a bed to evade police. He then allegedly lied to the club about what he was doing at Vaughan’s house, before being made to come clean.

Originally published as Sacked Dragons star Paul Vaughan denies alarming house party rumour

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/nrl/paul-vaughan-overcome-with-emotion-during-interview/news-story/f435c7474497ff6f40d74662041f1cf9