Broncos star James Roberts avoids sanction over drunken photo
The Broncos have opted against sanctioning centre James Roberts over a photograph that emerged on social media that appears to show the Blues Origin star getting carried out of a nightclub.
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The Brisbane Broncos have opted against sanctioning centre James Roberts over a photograph that emerged on social media that appears to show the Blues Origin star getting carried out of a nightclub.
The Broncos said via a statement on Sunday that Roberts had informed the club he had too many drinks on the Friday night after Brisbane’s Round 3 loss to the Dragons at a private party at a home in Brisbane.
The Broncos said Roberts had apologised for “drinking to excess” and that the incident was about “poor decision making”.
“I’ve spoken to Jimmy about avoiding situations where he isn’t in control,” coach Anthony Seibold said.
“He understands, and as a club we will continue to work through things with him.”
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On Saturday, Seibold told The Daily Telegraph he saw the undated photo on Friday night which was sent to him by text message from a member of the club’s welfare team.
“I’ve been told the picture is going around and I’ve seen it,” Seibold said.
“I’ll talk to James tomorrow when we’re back at training.
“I don’t know when the photo was taken or where it was taken. That’s what we’ve got to find out.”
Roberts has had a career plagued by controversy at the Titans, Penrith Panthers and the Rabbitohs.
He has previously been to a Thailand rehab clinic to treat drug and alcohol abuse.
In an interview last year Roberts conceded: “I’m still a work in progress. I’m always going to have problems in my life.”
Broncos chief executive Paul White said the club would continue to support Roberts.
“James’ journey to this point has been well-documented and he has made huge strides in recent years,” White said.
“This is a small blip on that journey, but we have all made poor decisions at times, and the club will continue to support James as we move forward.”
An NRL spokesman said the integrity unit was aware of the photo but it was at this stage an issue for the Broncos.
Roberts missed the heavy defeat to the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night with an Achilles injury and faces the prospect of returning in reserve grade.
“Jimmy’s got to get his body right,” Seibold said. “He can’t do what we need him to do because of his Achilles problem.”
LISTEN! Pressure on the Clearys, Ponga’s missing spark and rich pickings for the Blues. Plus Matty’s confrontation with “The Animal”. Don’t miss this week’s episode of The Matty Johns podcast with Paul Kent and James Hooper.
In his absence young centre Katoni Staggs was probably the Broncos’ best player at the SCG.
Both he and Jack Bird will be the starting centres against the Wests Tigers on Thursday night at Suncorp Stadium.
The Sunday Telegraph sent a copy of the photograph to Roberts’ close friend, boxer Anthony Mundine. Late on Saturday, Mundine was still trying to track him down.
“If he does have problems I’m going to help him,” Mundine said,
“He’s family. I’m here for all my brothers. They know that.”
Originally published as Broncos star James Roberts avoids sanction over drunken photo
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