Ugly fallout threatens civil war at under-fire club

Whilst a dozen players were fined and banned for attending Paul Vaughan’s barbecue, there were a number of stars that refused the offer – and one has now opened up.

He, along with the others that didn’t take up the invitation, are reportedly angry at the rule-breakers.

“We were told very clearly not to do anything silly, not to party, just to enjoy the moment (after the win over the Warriors) and go home,” one Dragons player, who wants to stay anonymous, told Wide World of Sports.

“These blokes knew it was wrong but did it anyway and have blackened the name of the club.

“We have all been tarred with the same brush – I’m embarrassed to be a Dragons rugby league player right now.

“It has probably cost us our chance at the finals and I just hope these blokes think it was worth it.”

With 12 men set to stay on the sidelines over the next month, it will put more pressure on the rest of the squad – and the blame, this Dragons player believes, has nothing to do with the club’s hierarchy.

“It’s going to make it very hard for us to win those four games – it sucks,” the player said.

The player didn’t blame the club’s management or culture for the incident.

“Management did all it could – you can’t hold these blokes’ hands,” he said.

“They know right from wrong and chose to ignore the rules.”