Brisbane Broncos captain Adam Reynolds will claim he was trying to help Patrick Carrigan into a taxi before the pair were caught wrestling on video that was obtained by 9News.
Just a fortnight before the skipper and his vice-captain are meant to fly with the team to Las Vegas for the NRL season opener, they have been involved in a drunken altercation in Brisbane on Sunday night.
Vision of the two grabbing each other aggressively while allegedly drunk in public circulated across social media on Monday, while 9News Queensland obtained separate video of the incident.
READ MORE: Luai ‘arrogance’ young Panthers target can’t replace
READ MORE: What Panthers stars wish they could pinch from America
READ MORE: Jarring reality after ‘unstoppable’ running star’s death
One person can be heard repeatedly saying, “Reyno” while another says, “Adam, Pat, stop”. Other Broncos players are also seen wrestling, and then trying to separate the pair.
9News and Triple M journalist Ben Dobbin revealed on radio Reynolds is remorseful, and claims he was only trying to help Carrigan.
“This is probably a very dark day for the Brisbane Broncos… Thousands and thousands of children, men and women were at Red Hill for (the fan day),” Dobbin said on Monday night.
“The players went out after for a few drinks, which is very standard, as once the season starts they just don’t get the opportunity. It’s not a good look, a few of the other players rang the Broncos late last night.
“(Reynolds) says he’s embarrassed, humiliated, he’s upset about the whole incident, wish it hadn’t happened.
“He was trying to get Patrick Carrigan into a cab.”
The NRL’s integrity unit is investigating the incident, which suddenly casts doubt over Reynolds and Carrigan making it to Las Vegas for their clash with the Roosters on March 3.
Only last week several other NRL players had to front the US embassy in Sydney to plead their case why they should be let into the states, as a result of prior legal slip-ups.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy believes the players regret what happened on Sunday.
https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1756965338149699854?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“I won’t be embarrassed leading the Broncos, it’s something that I’m very proud of,” Donaghy told 9News on Monday.
“But what we are is disappointed about the events and the incident.
“I know they are certainly very disappointed themselves. We had an amazing day at Red Hill… but unfortunately tonight we’re talking about this.
“The players are aware of the professional standards we expect, clearly that wasn’t upheld in this instance. This is certainly a step back, but the intent is we learn from it.”
Minutes before the altercation, the group had been kicked out of a rooftop bar, 9News Queensland reports.
They had attended several venues before being asked to leave by venue security and given a move-on directive by police.