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Up to a dozen St George Illawarra players are being investigated by the NRL integrity unit for breaking COVID protocols.
It is understood a large group of players attended a house party at Dragons prop Paul Vaughan’s home on Saturday night.
News Corp understands NSW Police were called to Vaughan’s residence and it was only after that the club was made aware of the gathering.
The Dragons held a crisis meeting on Sunday morning and the NRL integrity unit will interview all the players involved on Sunday.
It is understood the three Dragons players currently involved in the State of Origin series were not in attendance. That includes Ben Hunt, Andrew McCullough and Tariq Sims.
Police sources say players in attendance included Zac Lomax, Josh McGuire, Kaide Ellis, and Blake Lawrie.
It is believed other players were also in attendance with police allegedly locating the wallet of another player on the barbecue but there was no sign of him.
It is believed the group were having a barbecue to watch the Saturday night NRL games and claim they were not aware they were breaching any rules.
It is understood that at 6.25pm police first received information relating to a potential breach of COVID restrictions at the address.
A female witness stated that up to 15 people were at the location having a party.
At 8.23pm a further call to police was received again indicating a party with 20-25 people was taking place at the same location.
Police then attended at 9.40pm and spoke with Ellie Vaughan, the wife of Paul.
The Dragons players are currently on a break and not due back to training until Wednesday given the team has a bye next weekend.
It’s not Vaughan’s first COVID drama. Last August, he was forced to undergo 14 days in isolation after breaching the NRL’s ‘bubble’ by visiting a café ahead of a Dragons’ game against the Sydney Roosters.
Then coach Paul McGregor called Vaughan’s behavior “selfish”.
The club has released a statement saying: “St George Illawarra are aware of a NSW State Government stay-at-home order and NRL biosecurity breach involving a number of players.
“The Dragons will not make comment at this time, while the investigation into the matter with the NRL integrity unit and NSW Police continues.”
It is understood a large group of players attended a house party at Dragons prop Paul Vaughan’s home on Saturday night.
News Corp understands NSW Police were called to Vaughan’s residence and it was only after that the club was made aware of the gathering.
The Dragons held a crisis meeting on Sunday morning and the NRL integrity unit will interview all the players involved on Sunday.
It is understood the three Dragons players currently involved in the State of Origin series were not in attendance. That includes Ben Hunt, Andrew McCullough and Tariq Sims.
Police sources say players in attendance included Zac Lomax, Josh McGuire, Kaide Ellis, and Blake Lawrie.
It is believed other players were also in attendance with police allegedly locating the wallet of another player on the barbecue but there was no sign of him.
It is believed the group were having a barbecue to watch the Saturday night NRL games and claim they were not aware they were breaching any rules.
It is understood that at 6.25pm police first received information relating to a potential breach of COVID restrictions at the address.
A female witness stated that up to 15 people were at the location having a party.
At 8.23pm a further call to police was received again indicating a party with 20-25 people was taking place at the same location.
Police then attended at 9.40pm and spoke with Ellie Vaughan, the wife of Paul.
The Dragons players are currently on a break and not due back to training until Wednesday given the team has a bye next weekend.
It’s not Vaughan’s first COVID drama. Last August, he was forced to undergo 14 days in isolation after breaching the NRL’s ‘bubble’ by visiting a café ahead of a Dragons’ game against the Sydney Roosters.
Then coach Paul McGregor called Vaughan’s behavior “selfish”.
The club has released a statement saying: “St George Illawarra are aware of a NSW State Government stay-at-home order and NRL biosecurity breach involving a number of players.
“The Dragons will not make comment at this time, while the investigation into the matter with the NRL integrity unit and NSW Police continues.”
