Newcastle Knights legend Robbie O’Davis fined $5000 for alleged Covid-19 health order breach

The 1997 Clive Churchill medallist is alleged to have left his home despite being ordered to self-isolate after being deemed a close contact in the Lake Macquarie Costco cluster.

Newcastle Knights legend Robbie O’Davis has been slapped with a $5000 fine for allegedly failing to remain at home isolating after being deemed a close contact to a positive Covid-19 case.

The Clive Churchill medallist and duel premiership winner was deemed a close contact regarding a Covid-19 cluster involving the Lake Macquarie Costco outbreak last month.

But when police attended his Boolaroo home on August 26 to make sure he was self-isolating, they alleged O’Davis was ‘’absent from the premises’’.

Robbie O'Davis has been handed a $5000 PIN for an alleged Covid-19 public health order breach.

“Following inquiries, officers returned to the home and spoke with the 48-year-old man,’’ a police spokeswoman said in a statement.

“He was found to be in breach of the Public Health Order after leaving his home with another female occupant to attend a facility at Gateshead.

“The man was subsequently issued a $5000 PIN for failing to comply with a self-isolation direction.’’

O’Davis played 223 games for the Knights, including in their only two premierships in 1997 and 2001.

The Queensland State of Origin star has remained in the Hunter after retiring from rugby league in 2004.

When contacted for comment, O’Davis said the matter was with “the ombudsman’’ and he did not want to “jeopardise’’ it.