UPDATED: Brisbane Broncos vice-captain Patrick Carrigan denies he has an ongoing issue with alcohol after a second off-field incident in the space of 12 months.
Carrigan fronted media on Tuesday morning after vision was leaked of he and captain Adam Reynolds drunkenly wrestling in Brisbane on Sunday night.
Several reports have since claimed Reynolds had been trying to get Carrigan into a taxi after a group of Broncos players were asked to leave at least one venue, and then given a move-on order by police.
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It was about a year ago when Carrigan was reprimanded by coach Kevin Walters for drinking while injured, going against team protocols.
“I need to be better, in both circumstances, and I own that,” a remorseful Carrigan said on Tuesday when asked if he has a drinking problem.
Carrigan also denied there is any rift between he and Reynolds, as the pair stood shoulder to shoulder less than 48 hours after scuffling in the street.
“Clearly it was time for me to go home, and I take responsibility for that,” Carrigan said.
“We’re a really tight bunch, especially me and Adam. I’ve got a lot of respect for him, he’s like a big brother to me.
“Adam had my best interests at heart, it was clearly time for me to go home. We were mucking around and joking in a public place which we shouldn’t have been.
“I’m lucky as a leader he’s there to support me. I wouldn’t want to have any other captain or teammate or friend in that regard.”
Reynolds – who captained the Broncos to last year’s NRL grand final – denied the club has a problem with alcohol, but says he will accept any punishment that comes his way.
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“We take full responsibility for what happened, obviously not good enough. We’re pretty disappointed in it. As a club we’ve come a long way with our culture,” he said.
“We’re embarrassed, we fully take ownership of what happened. We’re a really tight group, we understand it’s not a good look.
“We were there as mates, it started out as a playful fight, a bit of wrestle that got a bit heated. We understand it’s not a good look and we take ownership of that.
“We shouldn’t have been there, that’s the main message. We were in a public place, we were mucking around and it got a bit heated. We’re just glad no one got hurt or injured.”
Star Broncos forward Payne Haas was previously fined $10,000 and suspended for one game after being filmed scuffling with then-teammate Albert Kelly.
With the Broncos due to fly to Las Vegas next week for the NRL season opener, any suspension would likely leave the captain and vice-captain stranded at home.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters said that he would work with the NRL integrity unit to come up with a suitable sanction, adding that he didn’t expect the players to be suspended or miss the trip to Las Vegas.
Walters bit back at suggestions his team has an ongoing issue with alcohol.
“It’s not a relaxed attitude, but I have walked in their shoes before and sometimes it’s not easy,” Walters said on Tuesday.
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“Rugby league is a very competitive sport, lots of testosterone, boys like to have fun.
“It got a bit out of hand, it’s a bit disappointing, but it’s not the end of the world.
“Alcohol is a problem in society, not just in rugby league, and we’re part of society.”
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 says the players regret what happened on Sunday.
“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.