St George Illawarra Dragons Players In A Mountain Of Trouble For Covid-19 Isolation Breach

[R L Winger]

The NRL are investigating whether Jack de Belin was one of at least 12 Dragons players to break protocol by attending a party at Paul Vaughan’s house after their win over the Warriors.

The NRL are questioning de Belin’s movements on the night of the party after witnesses saw him in the vicinity of Vaughan’s residents.

The NRL Integrity Unit is investigating at least 12 St George Illawarra players who have breached the strict COVID protocols by hosting a house party.

It has been confirmed 11 of the players being investigated include: Paul Vaughan, Josh McGuire, Jack Bird, Blake Lawrie, Corey Norman, Kaide Ellis, Matt Dufty, Gerard Beale, Josh Kerr, Daniel Alvaro and Zac Lomax.

Police were called to the home of Red V front row forward Paul Vaughan on Saturday night due to a noise complaint.

The NRL Integrity Unit is continuing to investigate whether other St George Illawarra players were involved in the house party as well.

Last year Vaughan was stood down for 14 days after he breached the NRL bubble by attending a cafe in the Illawarra without signing in under his own name. Vaughan was also handed a $10,000 fine.

The Dragons want to try and resolve the problem as quickly as possible with the players looking at receiving fines.

 

[R L Winger]

FURTHER TO THE UFOLDING STORY SURROUNDING DRAGONS PLAYERS 

Jack de Belin is the latest Dragons player to be fined by NSW Police for attending a house party hosted by teammate Paul Vaughan.

De Belin, who is only four games into his NRL comeback after the director of public prosecutions dropped sexual assault charges against the former State of Origin forward, was hit with a $1000 penalty for breaching public health orders.

"Following inquiries, another 30-year-old man was identified today (Monday 5 July 2021), as being at the home; he has now been issued with a $1000 PIN for breaching a stay at home direction," NSW Police said in a statement.

Twelve of de Belin's St George Illawarra teammates were fined on Sunday and interviewed by the NRL integrity unit over the gathering, which was broken up when neighbours made a noise complaint on Saturday night.

The players included Vaughan, Zac Lomax, Corey Norman, Kaide Ellis, Blake Lawrie, Jack Bird, Daniel Alvaro, Gerard Beale, Matt Dufty, Josh Kerr and Tyrell Fuimaono. They have been banned from training until further notice.

Sources familiar with the situation on Sunday, said that no State of Origin representatives - the Dragons had Tariq Sims, Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough play in game two - were at the party.

All NRL players are under level-four biosecurity restrictions to keep the competition alive during Sydney's COVID outbreak, which largely prevents them from leaving their homes unless playing or training. They are not allowed to have any visitors at their homes.

 

[Blotto]

Further info from here 

https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/st-george-illawarra-dragons-players-covid-house-party-hotspot-fined/471e0f03-70c8-499e-b516-5398b91d7891

No sympathy at all, they may have been outside the Greater Sydney lockdown but no excuses, the bans will hurt the Club more and the Players will know it.

Hook will be looking for a plank and crocodile to dish out his punishment!

[Farmduck]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-07-06/paul-vaughan-sacked-by-dragons-for-covid-19-breach-party/100270152

Quote

The St George Illawarra Dragons have terminated the contract of prop Paul Vaughan for his breach of NRL biosecurity guidelines.

 

[Graham]

Stupid action, not Vaughan’s first. This one has been a costly one getting him sacked.

[Graham]

[Graham]

Just out of interest where does all that money go?

[Cameron Highlander]

8 minutes ago, Graham said:

Just out of interest where does all that money go?

To Charities.

 

[DavidM]

I think the bye weekend coming should cover all those one match bans . 

[Irish Saint]

NRL360 has an interview with Vaughan.

Kent's attitude so different than the one he had towards George Williams.

 Afterwards Ray Hadley keeps  Kent very very quiet.

All just high jinks eh Paul (Kent)

[Graham]

3 hours ago, Irish Saint said:

NRL360 has an interview with Vaughan.

Kent's attitude so different than the one he had towards George Williams.

 Afterwards Ray Hadley keeps  Kent very very quiet.

All just high jinks eh Paul (Kent)

Yes. I agree. Double standards.

[Graham]

I’ve just read that in the wake of the Vaughan sacking, Dragons are to bring in George Burgess. Last I heard he’d had surgery and was back to fitness and keen to play again.