Josh McGuire and the ‘Dirty dozen’ Dragons didn’t think they would be caught
Josh McGuire has given his account of the now infamous Paul Vaughan gathering revealing what happened when the police crashed the party.
Michael Carayannis
Josh McGuire has conceded the Dragons dirty dozen thought they would ‘get away with’
the now infamous BBQ which has severely damaged the club and resulted in Paul Vaughan’s sacking.
A candid McGuire put his hand up and said
he and his St George Illawarra teammates knew they were doing the wrong thing when they got together at Vaughan’s house as they flouted the NSW health regulations.
But McGuire did not shy away from the error.
Josh McGuire is owning up to the mistake made by he and his teammates. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images
“In hindsight no-one knew the magnitude of the situation owe got ourselves into,” McGuire said. “It‘s a massive ordeal that’s gone on. We warrant every bit of the repercussions. We can’t sit here and cry foul. We put ourselves into the situation. We didn’t think it would escalate to this magnitude.
“We can’t sit here and say we didn’t understand. We were in Shellharbour, a long way away from everything that was happening. We thought it wasn’t going to be a drama, we wouldn’t get caught.”
St George Illawarra Dragons players pictured at WIN Stadium in Wollongong for one of their last training sessions before relocating to the Gold Coast. Picture: Toby Zerna
McGuire and his nine teammates rejoined the Dragons squad on Monday. He defended the two teammates – Zac Lomax and Daniel Alvaro – who were yet to sign the declaration which would allow the pair to return to the bubble. He added those who were invited to the BBQ lived nearby Vaughan.
“Everyone has their own legal advice,” McGuire said. “They are entitled to their opinion.
“(It is my understanding) they were under the impression if someone contracted Covid-19 and something happened over the next week, whether it was our fault or someone’s fault they will be found liable. They weren’t willing to take that risk.”
READ THE FULL STATUTORY DECLARATION HERE
The group were read the ‘Riot Act’ by coach Anthony Griffin when they returned with the rest of the group on Monday. McGuire conceded some players panicked when police arrived at Vaughan’s house which prompted some to hide and others to flee.
“I stood there,” McGuire said. “Some of the boys were scared. A few of us stood there and talked to police. A few boys didn’t want to hang around. A few of the boys just stayed where they were and a few of the guys came out and saw the police.
“It was a poor decision by us. It’s hard. We’re still quite upset and disappointed. I’m shattered I brought this club into this situation.
McGuire said he was unclear if his one-game ban would be served against the Sea Eagles on Friday night.
Teammate Blake Lawrie also fronted up to explain his actions but was a little more circumspect about the events at Vaughan’s house.
“It was a get together with a couple of the boys who made a decision,” Lawrie said. “We didn’t think the repercussions were going to be this big. We are truly sorry what has happened to our wider community, club and teammates.
“I thought it was harmless. We were in our own bubble. We can’t do anything about what we’ve done. I can’t wait to prove to our teammates mainly that we are sorry.
“(We have to prove) we’re not disjointed.”
Lawrie also said he was “shattered” for Vaughan who had his contract ripped up last week.
“I’m worried about his mental health and wellbeing,” Lawrie said. “He will get another deal elsewhere.”
Veteran outside back Gerard Beale also wrote on Instagram on Monday that he ‘should have respected the rules
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