Josh Papalii and Anthony Milford boozed
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mattystorm1987
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EXCLUSIVE: CANBERRA stars Josh Papalii and Anthony Milford face heavy sanctions after being caught drinking alcohol just two days before the Raiders were belted by 34 points just over a week ago.
The Daily Telegraph has been told the pair were boozing in Auckland on a Thursday night before a round 25 game against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday, August 31, at Mount Smart Stadium.
Canberra was belted 50-16 in that game, their finals aspirations finally and emphatically buried.
Many of Canberra’s senior players wanted Papalii and Milford stood down for the match and sent home.
It is understood Raiders management left the final decision on the two players to interim coach Andrew Dunemann, who chose to play them. Sources claim Papalii and Milford met up with family members in Auckland on the Thursday night and then "kicked on".
Canberra’s board, including chairman John McIntyre, is aware of the drama.
Players were "filthy" the pair were out drinking before such a season-defining game. It is a blatant breach of Canberra’s code of conduct.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner preferred not to comment yesterday. Canberra is in turmoil at the moment following the recent sackings of coach David Furner and star player Blake Ferguson.
After Furner was dumped, some Raiders player spoke of needing strong leadership. That, it would appear, hasn’t happened given the Auckland fiasco.
The club hasn’t acted on the pair just yet because officials are heavily focussed on finding and signing a new coach.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Papalii and Milford may face pre-season sanctions next year, given their 2013 season is now over. Milford may be released to join Brisbane during the off-season. He wants to be closer to his family.
It would seem Papalii and Milford may be fined or stood down for a trial game next year as punishment.
One source close to the board said: "This will certainly be addressed. They have done the wrong thing.
"The club has so much going on that it hasn’t found time yet to penalise the pair. But I would imagine something will be announced soon. It is unacceptable behaviour."
Canberra was defeated 38-18 by Cronulla at Canberra Stadium on Sunday night to end a forgettable season. It was the club’s sixth successive loss.
"That effort tonight summed up our last five weeks," Raiders skipper Terry Campese said after fulltime.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6715378300
The Daily Telegraph has been told the pair were boozing in Auckland on a Thursday night before a round 25 game against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday, August 31, at Mount Smart Stadium.
Canberra was belted 50-16 in that game, their finals aspirations finally and emphatically buried.
Many of Canberra’s senior players wanted Papalii and Milford stood down for the match and sent home.
It is understood Raiders management left the final decision on the two players to interim coach Andrew Dunemann, who chose to play them. Sources claim Papalii and Milford met up with family members in Auckland on the Thursday night and then "kicked on".
Canberra’s board, including chairman John McIntyre, is aware of the drama.
Players were "filthy" the pair were out drinking before such a season-defining game. It is a blatant breach of Canberra’s code of conduct.
Raiders chief executive Don Furner preferred not to comment yesterday. Canberra is in turmoil at the moment following the recent sackings of coach David Furner and star player Blake Ferguson.
After Furner was dumped, some Raiders player spoke of needing strong leadership. That, it would appear, hasn’t happened given the Auckland fiasco.
The club hasn’t acted on the pair just yet because officials are heavily focussed on finding and signing a new coach.
The Daily Telegraph has been told Papalii and Milford may face pre-season sanctions next year, given their 2013 season is now over. Milford may be released to join Brisbane during the off-season. He wants to be closer to his family.
It would seem Papalii and Milford may be fined or stood down for a trial game next year as punishment.
One source close to the board said: "This will certainly be addressed. They have done the wrong thing.
"The club has so much going on that it hasn’t found time yet to penalise the pair. But I would imagine something will be announced soon. It is unacceptable behaviour."
Canberra was defeated 38-18 by Cronulla at Canberra Stadium on Sunday night to end a forgettable season. It was the club’s sixth successive loss.
"That effort tonight summed up our last five weeks," Raiders skipper Terry Campese said after fulltime.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6715378300
