Brisbane are declaring their innocence after a pub lunch attended by 10 players intended to celebrate the end of harder lock down measures became the latest biosecurity breach under investigation at the embattled NRL club.
Queensland police and the NRL are looking into the incident, in which 10 players enjoyed a steak on August 1 at the Everton Park Hotel in potential breach of the league’s strict coronavirus protocols.
It follows a separate COVID-19 breach on Saturday by Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Jr that prompted the NRL to propose a $30,000 fine and indefinitely boot him from the NRL’s bubble.
Brisbane great and current trainer Allan Langer is among three staff stood down after attending another private function at the Caxton Hotel.
And coach Anthony Seibold is also in a 14-day COVID-19 hold after attending to a private family matter in Sydney after last weekend’s game.
The Broncos said on Wednesday the group lunched with the understanding they were not breaking protocols under what were relaxed Project Apollo rules at the time.
They had gathered to mark the end of their 14-day hard lockdown following a 48-0 mauling against West Tigers in Sydney on July 17.
Rules allowed players in Queensland teams, when they haven’t played in Sydney in the past 14 days, to dine at cafes and restaurants, but not attend pubs.
However, restaurants within pubs were okayed, as long as players remain within that area and seated at a table with their own group.
“The players were of the understanding that lunch at the hotel was permissible under the more-relaxed restrictions which they were under at the time,” the Broncos statement read.
“The club has been working closely with the NRL and provided a range of information as requested, and is awaiting a determination.”
Queensland Police deputy commissioner Steve Gollschewski confirmed on Wednesday that investigations into the Broncos’ pub visit were continuing.
But he said it would fall back onto Queensland Health to determine if the players had broken any protocols specific to the NRL bubble.
It comes as six Hull FC players as well as two coaches tested positive for coronavirus in England, while their most recent opposition Salford are awaiting their test results.
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson says Super League cases show just how important the NRL guidelines are to keep the competition running, given Super League is proceeding without any kind of “bubble”.
“The protocols are really harsh, really tough at times on the group of players and staff, they’re really restrictive but we have to adhere to them to keep playing,” Robinson said.
“Whilst you don’t always agree with them you have to stick to them.
“We need to finish this competition financially for players, staff and everybody who works in the office … we have to do it.”
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Nat, you're clearly as familiar with this hotel as I am. I've been there many times over the last 35 years. There aren't multiple dining areas, but there are three if you include the public bar. You're right about it being a place for families. I started taking my family there in the 1980s because very few hotels in Brisbane allowed children. Ironically, another place was the Wests Old Boys and Juniors Leagues Club which was the predecessor of the Broncos club. Who can forget the wonderful Mrs Hall who ran the restaurant in that club very well indeed welcoming children and arranging entertainment for them. Unfortunately, these Broncos players aren't children, and being there was probably unwise.
Parasite
Roar Rookie
:happy: Gonna post about any other sport besides RL today mate or post something nice about that code you're reading up about? Hahahhaha, never change. :rugby:
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Can I order some popcorn while I watch the Broncs grab there 1st Spoon
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Can they get the Bunker to look at in Super slow mo.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
You might care when they move the GF to the Gabba and all those Fair weather Broncs supporters jump ship
mushi
Roar Guru
The no respect makes it sweeter!
mushi
Roar Guru
Hey I've done it in in Park Lane hotel. Drunkenly kept walking around till I got lost, and then tried to re-enter the wrong room. Didn't have to take a dump but asking the room service guy for directions whilst starkers wasn't great
Tony
Roar Guru
Yeah. Why not. Imagine if they had won.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Can I get a plate of chips with all the salt over here? 2 titles and no respect must hurt more than losing a few games hey? I'm sure if you moved back to Bondi you might find the other 5 chooks supporters who will help with that chip on your shoulder.
Adam
Roar Guru
It was TPJ. He's quickly running out of pennies...
Adam
Roar Guru
They were celebrating the try they scored...
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Slightly different topic. Broncos Chairman Karl Morris on their record since the resumption "the pandemic, the change of rules, the lockdown have made things difficult for us". Didn't the other teams face the same challenges? Sounds like a quote from the Anthony Seibold Book Of BS Excuses. Laughable. Appropriate because they have become a joke.
clipper
Roar Rookie
From the viewing figures, quite a few are.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I tend to agree with that. This story is just fodder for clicks. I'm not that upset to see them come together for a meal and beer, it's called bonding and it's not a bad thing. Just like I'm not upset to see TPJ leave. I'm usually the advocate for not holding footy players up as role models but his actions (or desires as you say) were purely selfish and if that's the attitude, he can go to the Warriors as I'd say they are the only ones who would come anywhere near the $650k for him. On the park, I put a lot at Seibolds feet. He seems to compartmentalise to justify/commend small actions where the bigger picture of low standards, poor performances and no accountability is what the rest of us can see. I've made the point previously that he is always juggling, there doesn't seem to be any plan toward success. The Broncos have always had a line up of talent and they usually get the best from each player to create a competitive team. Seibold is trying to fit these inexperienced players into his master-designed team plan. He isn't a rookie coach anymore and this isn't his 1st year with the Broncos. If you put a bowl of lollies on the top shelf, even a 5yo will come up with different ways to get to them. Seibold has had 2yrs with these players and his methodology isn't working but not changing either.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I hope it wasn't TPJ, he's got to save his pennies for a while now.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I “had” to go out for a work lunch a couple of weeks ago at a bar / restaurant I’ve been pretty good with social distancing, COVID restrictions etc but it can get challenging. There’s heaps of little unconscious things you do, that in the new world you have to check yourself... I always felt a bit sorry for that player with that incident I went to Terrigal with some mates in my early 20s. Big Saturday on the sauce. Because it was a strange room I left the light on in the bathroom. Got up in the middle of the night, blind and disoriented. Saw the crack of light under the door, got my bearings and stepped...into the hallway of the hotel...starkers Fortunately the door didn’t lock behind me, I didn’t need to take a major, there was no one around and I’m not a well known footy player...but it could have got ugly So while a lot of people didn’t buy his excuse, I could definitely relate...
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Can't celebrate wins (or even good performances), so the team decides to celebrate the relaxing of covid restrictions. And then managed to stuff that up. Kind of sums up the Broncos at the moment, doesn't it...
Nat
Roar Rookie
It should be noted that this particular pub is probably 85% dining areas and multiple ones at that. It prides itself as a family place and spent about $1m on a childrens play area and it's very popular. Alfie broke multiple rules but I cannot see 10 footy players going here if they thought they were doing anything wrong as there would be hundreds of patrons there and no where to hide.
mushi
Roar Guru
On the flip side it's not like the majority of restaurants don't have a bar area. I think having to be in the seated dining area isn't difficult, but then my team had a guy locked out of his hotel room and have to drop a deuce in the hall way so maybe there's a different threshold for difficult.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That’s what I was thinking: Restaurants? Ok Pubs? Definitely not What about a restaurant in a pub? Yeah sure, why not? What could possibly go wrong?