The NRL has slapped the 13 Dragonsplayers caught up in the now-infamous house party COVID breach with monster fines, totaling $305,000.
Each player has also been handed breach notices by the league that willtranslate into time on the sidelines.
The notice handed to PaulVaughan, who hosted the party at his place of residence, proposes aneight-match suspension and a fine of $50,000. It takes into account Vaughan's prior biosecurity breach in 2020 and the fact that he withheld key information from the Integrity Unit.
The proposed sanctions for all other players who attended the gatheringinclude one-match suspensions and fines.
SCROLLDOWN FOR THE FULL LIST OF FINES HANDED DOWN TO THE OFFENDING DRAGONS PLAYERS.
Paul Vaughan of the Dragons is sent to the sin-bin this season. (Getty)
The NRL also alleges a number of players hid or fled the residence whenNSW Police attended the home after complaints from neighbours.
According to News Corp reports, Dragons players attempted to cover up teammate Jack De Belin'sinvolvement before the 30-year-old was found "hiding under a bed". De Belin was handed a $42,000 fine by the NRL.
It's also alleged that a number of players gave or were involvedin giving misleading information about the event during the NRL's investigationinto the breaches and that some of the players conspired to withhold keyinformation from the NRL.
Dragons CEO Ryan Webb also expressed his dismay for the club's13 offending players.
"The 13 players' arrogance and ignorance to both the NRLbiosecurity protocols and the state government's public health order isupsetting and infuriating," Webb said.
"Every member of the club's Apollo register werecommunicated their responsibilities and limitations under level four protocolson numerous occasions.
"All 13 players have let the rest of their teammates, theentirety of our hard-working staff, their families, the wider community andmost importantly our Red V members, partners and fans, down.
"The entire club and our stakeholders will now be punishedas a result of the combined 20-week suspension procured between the 13 players.
"The Dragons hold no reservations over the punishmentshanded down by the NRL Integrity Unit or NSW Police given the players' completedisregard for both the game and community's expectations."
FULL LIST OF FINES
Blake Lawry - $20,000
Corey Norman - $50,000
Daniel Alvaro - $15,000
Jack Bird - $25,000
Josh Kerr - $18,000
Josh McGuire - $12,000
Kaide Ellis - $5,000
Matt Dufty - $23,000
Paul Vaughan - $50,000
Tyrell Fuimaono - $12,000
Zac Lomax - $31,000
Jack de Belin - $42,000
Gerard Beale - $2,000
*The fines take into account past indiscretions and the varying salariesof the players.
