Dolphins players caught up in Broncos star Gehamat Shibasaki’s booze-ban breach bender

Explosive details of Gehamat Shibasaki’s booze-ban breaching night out have emerged, with revelations the Broncos star was out drinking with players from the Dolphins, leaving teammates furious.

Shibasaki defied a Broncos-enforced alcohol ban while out on the town with several Dolphins stars.

The Dolphins have been caught up in the boozy night out that resulted in Gehamat Shibasaki being sensationally dropped by Broncos coach Michael Maguire.

In an intriguing sub-plot, this masthead can reveal River City rival Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was among a posse of Dolphins drinking with Shibasaki, who angered Broncos players by breaking a team-imposed booze ban.

The Shibasaki shock led to his axing for Thursday night’s blockbuster against the Storm at Suncorp Stadium.

Shibasaki wasn’t out on the drink with Broncos teammates as Brisbane players had made a pact to swear off alcohol in the run to the finals, underlining the squad’s burning desire to break a 19-year premiership drought.

Instead, Shibasaki ended up in the company of several Dolphins players, including Queensland teammate Tabuai-Fidow, with whom he played in the Origin decider this year.

Gehamat Shibasaki and Hamiso Tabuai-FIdow were teammates in Queensland's State of Origin series victory of NSW. Picture: NRL Images

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing from the ‘Hammer’ or other Dolphins players, with Redcliffe stars heading out to a Brisbane pub for some beers to celebrate their 36-30 defeat of the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.

Well-placed sources report Tabuai-Fidow was well behaved, mindful the Dolphins remain in finals contention ahead of Sunday’s clash against Canberra.

But it was a different story for Shibasaki because of the alcohol ban his Broncos teammates had put in place.

Speculation sweeping league circles suggested the Maroons centre had a bender in his hometown Townsville on Saturday night after Brisbane’s 38-30 defeat of the Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

But the real trouble began the following day when Shibasaki flew back to Brisbane with the Broncos squad.

As he stepped off the plane around 2pm, Shibasaki received a call from a family member and agreed to join some relatives at a Brisbane pub later that evening.

Shibasaki was still at the pub when a group of Dolphins players, including Tabuai-Fidow, walked into the same establishment after the Titans win and invited the Broncos centre over for some drinks.

When the 27-year-old reported for Brisbane training the next morning, he was visibly worse for wear.

Broncos players were particularly disappointed because they had spoken about giving up alcohol for the rest of the season in a collective agreement to make a team-first sacrifice in pursuit of Brisbane’s first premiership since 2006.

Broncos coach Maguire, already dealing with the fallout from the Reece Walsh toilet-water saga, was privately furious when he learned of Shibasaki’s boozy night out.

Maguire was equally shocked by the identity of the player given the stunning fightback of Shibasaki, who joined Brisbane in pre-season on a train-and-trial deal and had spoken numerous times about being grateful for his second chance.

Shibasaki’s alcohol-fuelled night out could have costly repercussions.

Not only could he be overlooked for the opening week of Brisbane’s finals campaign, but Shibasaki’s actions could cost him any hope of going on Australia’s end-of-season Ashes tour.

New Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters is closely monitoring the form of Shibasaki and Broncos centre partner Kotoni Staggs, but the golden chance of representing Australia may have slipped through his fingers.

Asked if Shibasaki will be recalled for the opening week of the finals, Maguire refused to guarantee his selection.

“I don’t know, I haven’t thought that far ahead,” Maguire said. “I will worry about this week’s game, see how Deine Mariner performs at centre, and then go from there.”

Originally published as Dolphins players caught up in Broncos star Gehamat Shibasaki’s booze-ban breach bender