Brisbane Broncos stars Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan avoid NRL-imposed match sanctions

Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan are set to escape with a fine from the NRL after Brisbane decided against punishing the pair over their alcohol-fuelled scuffle. WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE

Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan to the media after vision from the weekend showing them fighting in the street at Fortitude Valley. Picture 10News

Brawling Broncos Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan are hopeful of being cleared by the NRL to travel to Las Vegas in the wake of their drunken spat in Brisbane’s CBD.

This masthead understands Reynolds and Carrigan are facing fines - not NRL-imposed match sanctions - in what would be a huge boost for the Broncos ahead of the code’s historic season launch in Sin City on March 3.

The NRL integrity unit has not finalised its investigation, but there is a view the players are guilty of bringing the game into disrepute, rather than inciting violence with a fully-fledged public brawl.

The Broncos will also explore the prospect of possible curfews and booze bans in America, although that would be considered a last-resort measure in the wake of the NRL’s first pre-season scandal.

An “embarrassed” Reynolds and Carrigan fronted the media on Tuesday vowing to atone for their sins after footage emerged of the skipper and his deputy engaging in an ugly scuffle on Sunday night.

The alcohol-fuelled drama came just hours after the most successful fan day in the club’s history, with more than 8000 supporters descending on Broncos headquarters on Sunday to meet their heroes.

But the Broncos’ heroes turned to villains when captain Reynolds and his vice-skipper Carrigan almost came to blows after a drunken wrestle that spilled into a Brisbane parkland in the vicinity of patrolling police.

Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan brawl in public. Picture: X/Twitter

While police opted against arrests, Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy held crisis talks with Reynolds and Carrigan, making it clear the NRL grand finalists will not tolerate boorish off-field behaviour.

The Broncos are due to leave Australia in eight days and NRL hierarchy will make a final call on whether Reynolds and Carrigan are permitted to travel to Sin City for the gala 2024 season launch on March 3 (AEST).

There is pressure on the NRL integrity unit to hand Reynolds and Carrigan at least a one-match NRL suspension, but fines in excess of $10,000 are a more likely outcome.

The under fire duo were both named on Tuesday in Brisbane’s top 17 for their first major trial of the season against the Cowboys in the NRL’s pre-season challenge on Sunday.

Reynolds, a father of four who turns 34 in July, conceded the drunken stoush was a black eye for himself, Carrigan and the Broncos as NRL authorities gather relevant information.

“We’re embarrassed,” the champion halfback said.

“I just want to apologise for our actions on the weekend.

Patrick Carrigan and Adam Reynolds front the media on Tuesday.

“I take full responsibility, it wasn’t good enough.

“I’m disappointed in it. This club has come a long way with our culture and looking to get on the front foot and own what we have done.

“We shouldn’t have been there, that’s the main message.

“It got a bit heated, but we should have moved on and gone home. I’m just glad no-one got hurt or injured.

“It’s not a good look as leaders of the team, but we are united as a club and it’s about moving forward and trying to get some trust back.”

The NRL has the power to suspend players for poor off-field conduct, as they have done previously with star Broncos prop Payne Haas, who copped a four-game ban in 2019 for failing to comply with an integrity-unit probe.

Carrigan, the Queensland Origin star being groomed to one day succeed Reynolds as captain, said he hopes to be given the green light to represent the NRL and Broncos brands on American soil.

Asked if he hopes to play in Vegas, he said: “Of course, it’s a big opportunity for the game.

“I own what I did but the opportunity to represent this club is all I wanted to do as a kid.

“What’s to be will be.

“I’ve made a mistake and I will accept this one moving forward. I need to be better.”

This is the second alcohol-related incident involving Carrigan. Two years ago, the Australian World Cup-winning lock was hauled over the coals by Broncos bosses for drinking alcohol while recovering from a knee injury.

Carrigan insists he does not have a problem with alcohol, nor is he at odds with his captain Reynolds.

“I have a lot of respect for Adam, he is like a big brother to me,” he said.

“The timing isn’t ideal, but I have his back and he has mine.

“I take full responsibility for my actions. It’s not ideal behaviour that I am proud of, but as a club we’re moving forward and I’ll stand side by side with Adam.

“Clearly it was time for me to go home. We had a really positive day as a club and the support from our members has been amazing. We had a few beers together as a group and we are a tight-knit bunch.

“We were mucking around and joking in a public place when we shouldn’t have been.”

Carrigan, who turned 26 last month, said he would consider imposing a booze ban to stay out of trouble.

“In due time, that (not drinking alcohol) could maybe be a thing but I want to move forward and play good football,” he said.

“It’s an isolated incident and we want to move forward as a group.”

Captains Adam Reynolds and Ali Brigginshaw at the Broncos fans day at Red Hill. Picture Lachie Millard

Broncos coach Kevin Walters remains hopeful two of his most important players will be cleared to take on the Roosters at Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium - the scene of Monday’s NFL Super Bowl.

“I’m sure the NRL will be disappointed, like we all are,” Walters said.

“We won’t be suspending them. The NRL integrity unit is now looking at all the vision and doing interviews, so it’s out of our hands and into theirs.

“From our perspective they will be on the plane and it’s up to the NRL to give them the all clear which I imagine they would.

“I expect them to be over there ... but it’s not my decision.”

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos stars Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan avoid NRL-imposed match sanctions