Top cop slams Dragons stars for house party Covid breach

The NSW Police Deputy Commissioner has issued a blunt message to the Dragons stars busted having a house party and breaching Covid rules.

The Dragons are in hot water.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys has slammed the 12 St George Illawarra Dragons players who were fined for breaching the state government’s stay-at-home order in Shellharbour on Saturday evening.

On Sunday, league journalist Danny Weidler reported that a number of Dragon players attended a party at the home of forward Paul Vaughan on the state’s south coast.

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Weidler later told the Sunday Footy Show the Dragons players were caught out after someone put in a “noise complaint” to police.

“If this is true, this is a huge issue,” former Cronulla captain Paul Gallen said.

“They will be punished severely. I can see something severe happening here. Big, big fines and time out of the game. This is going to be huge.”

Fox Sports reporter James Hooper later 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.

The St George Illawarra Dragons have the following statement regarding an NRL biosecurity breach. #redv

— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) July 4, 2021

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.”

Deputy Commissioner 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.”

Matthew Dufty and some of his Dragons teammates.

The Dragons released a statement confirming a number of players were involved in a biosecurity breach.

“St George Illawarra are aware of a New South Wales state government stay-at-home order and NRL biosecurity breach involving a number of players,” the statement read.

“The Dragons will not make comment at this time, while the investigation into the matter with the NRL Integrity Unit and NSW Police continues.”

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

This Dragons story could be huge. Bye next week, but club has to stand them down if COVID party yarn is true. How many were there? Can they even a field a side in RD 18 v Manly? Do they have to forfeit? And how did Vaughn not learn his lesson form that cafe visit last year?

— cody kaye (@Cody_KayeFOX) July 4, 2021

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.

Speaking on Nine News, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo warned the league would not rule out any penalties for the players involved.

“I’d be stunned if they allowed these players to go back to training next week,” Hooper told Fox League’s Big League Wrap. “The stupidity of it. They’ve had that many warnings, it’s been spelt out it black and white.

“They have to throw the book at them.

“They could be forced to run out a virtual reserve grade side when they come back from the bye the following week.”

The Dragons secured a nailbiting one-point victory over the Warriors on Friday evening, but are scheduled for a bye next weekend.

Anthony Griffin’s side are currently seventh on the NRL ladder with eight wins this season.

Corey Norman celebrates scoring a try with some Dragons teammates.

Originally published as Top cop slams Dragons stars for house party Covid breach