Broncos pub visit before big loss

Brisbane Broncos officials are aware a group of players were out late in a Sydney pub the night before Sunday’s finals thrashing at the hands of Paramatta.

An eyewitness has told Foxsports.com.au at least six Broncos were in the pokie room at a Sydney hotel until around 11pm on Saturday night with one staying out even later.

The following day the Broncos were dumped out of the NRL finals with a record-breaking 58-0 defeat at the hands of the Paramatta Eels.

The Brisbane club have launched an investigation after becoming aware of the incident.

The eyewitness claimed Matt Gillett, Andrew McCullough, Payne Haas, David Fifita, Corey Oates and Anthony Milford were in the pokie room at Harpoon Harry’s hotel.

When the group left, Fifita remained in the pokie room on his own, the eyewitness claimed.

The eyewitness, who claimed he talked to Milford, told Foxsports.com.au there was no suggestion the players were drinking whilst in the hotel.

But given the fallout from the hefty defeat at the Broncos, the report will not be well received by the Brisbane club.

Broncos coach Anthony Seibold labelled his side’s loss as ‘‘embarrassing’’ at his post-match press conference.

The Broncos have responded to Foxsports.com.au’s story with a statement.

‘‘In relation to media reports on the actions of Broncos team members on Saturday night, the club has spoken to a number of players.

‘‘From those conversations, we understand that a small number were playing poker machines at a venue close to the team hotel.

‘‘Others called in for a short period on their way back to the team hotel from the shops,’’ the statement released to Foxsports. com.au read.

‘‘There is no suggestion the players were drinking, and our entire squad presented at a team breakfast at 7am the next morning.’’

‘‘Players are confined to the team hotel on away trips once their team commitments including dinner, team meetings and sports massage have been completed.

‘‘Over many years the club has placed trust in the playing group to do the right thing in regard to their pre-game preparation.’’

It is another blow for Brisbane who have been pilloried after their club record loss.

‘‘The way they finished their season is the most alarming thing because the whole season then looks like it stood for nothing,’’ ex-Broncos coach Anthony Griffin told Fox Sports’ NRL 360.

‘‘They’ve lost their identity which is the biggest thing for Brisbane.’’

● Meanwhile South Sydney star Dane Gagai admits fearing his NRL premiership dream was over when he injured his hamstring for the first time in his career two weeks ago.

However Gagai has declared himself fit for Friday’s semi-final against Manly after completing training with the team yesterday morning.

Gagai is one of two changes made by coach Wayne Bennett to the 17 blitzed by Sydney Roosters last week, along with Sam Burgess’ return from suspension.

James Roberts is in the centres with Gagai, who missed last week’s loss to the Roosters but passed a fitness test on Monday.

‘‘I done some testing (on Monday) and got through it fine,’’ Gagai told AAP. Bennett has shuffled around his backline, with Adam Doueihi returning to fullback, and Alex Johnston and Campbell Graham on the wing.