Brisbane Broncos stars Adam Reynolds and Patrick Carrigan have been involved in a late-night incident which has resulted in them receiving breach notices following an investigation by the NRL Integrity Unit.
"Both players are alleged to have engaged in a physical altercation in public which has brought the game into disrepute," a brief press release stated.
Adam Reynolds and Patrick Carrigan hit with breach notices by NRL
"The NRL today issued Brisbane Broncos players Adam Reynolds and Patrick Carrigan with breach notices alleging a breach of the NRL Code of Conduct following a public incident this week," the statement continued.
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"The NRL has reminded other players involved in the incident of their responsibilities under the NRL Code of Conduct."
The duo will now have five business days to respond to the notice.
Reynolds and Carrigan were captured on a short video engaging in a fight with each other as another man attempted to separate them and de-escalate the situation.
"The club was made aware of the incident last night and has been speaking to players across the course of the day to clarify details of what occurred," the club stated.
"The NRL Integrity Unit has been informed of the matter."
The incident occurred only hours after the pair had attended an annual fan day at Red Hill.
Has Adam Reynolds and Patrick Carrigan been banned by the NRL?
The incident involving Reynolds and Carrigan is a bad look for the club on the eve of the new season.
While coach Kevin Walters has said the club will not suspend the players, the NRL Integrity Unit has issued them with breach notices for the incident.
Two years ago, the Broncos faced a similar incident when Payne Haas and Albert Kelly were caught engaging in a scuffle.
Both Haas and Kelly were investigated over the issue which reportedly stemmed from the prop becoming annoyed with Kelly for scuffing his new shoes while on a night out.
The physical altercation that followed outside a venue was filmed by a bystander and posted to social media.
It eventually resulted in the duo each copping a fine and a one-match suspension for bringing the game into disrepute.
However, The Sydney Morning Herald are reporting that the duo will escape with fines for the incident after being issued with breach notices.
Reynolds will have to pay a proposed $5,000 fine, while Carrigan has been hit with a $10,000 sanction that means they will be free to play in the club's opening game of the season in Las Vegas.
Adam Reynolds 'embarrassed, humiliated' over incident
Brisbane's captain Reynolds has reportedly said he is 'humiliated' by the incident that occurred between he and Carrigan.
Facing the media a day after the incident, both Reynolds and Carrigan took responsibility for their actions, and expressed regret for what had happened.
"It's not ideal behaviour," Carrigan said.
“I won’t get into the ins and outs of it but Adam had my best interests at heart and it was clearly time for me to go home."
“We’re embarrassed,” Reynolds said.
“We fully take ownership for what happened. We’re a really tight group. We understand it’s not a good look but we were there as mates.
“It started out as a playful fight and a little bit of wrestle that got a little bit heated but there was no one injured. We understand it’s not a good look in the public eye and we take ownership.”
Walters said that both men are still expected to play in the Las Vegas season opener, saying that the club had chosen not to suspend either player and that he expected the league to follow suit.
"From our perspective, they will be on the plane [to Las Vegas]," 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.
"It’s up to the NRL to give them the all clear which I imagine they would, but it’s not my decision."
According to Triple M's Ben “Dobbo” Dobbin, while there were no punches thrown between the two Broncos' stars, the incident has sent shockwaves through the organisation, with the start of the 2024 NRL season mere weeks away.
"He’s embarrassed, he’s humiliated, he’s upset about the whole incident, wished it hadn’t had happened," Dobbin said on Triple M’s The Rush Hour with Leisel Jones, Liam & Dobbo, on Monday afternoon.
"There was no punches thrown... but it’s an ugly look.
"I’ve spoken to Kevvie Walters, furious, he is absolutely furious about it.
"The police were called, and they were told to move on and that’s fact.
"There will be fines."
Reece Walsh, Payne Haas also involved in Broncos scuffle
The Broncos' Sunday night incident does not look like it's going away any time soon, with fresh vision revealing fellow players Reece Walsh and Payne Haas were also involved in the reported fight between Reynolds and Carrigan.
#UPDATE: CCTV cameras reveal Brisbane Broncos stars Reece Walsh and Payne Haas were also involved in the Sunday Night scuffle. Watch below: ⬇️ @9NewsQueensland@NRLonNine@wwos https://t.co/d3JGlBpJj6 pic.twitter.com/De7ubaGI9l
— Bailey Kenzie (@BaileyKenzie9) February 13, 2024
In vision released by Nine News, both Walsh and Haas can be seen entering the fray, as others looked on.
