Brisbane have declined to punish NSW State of Origin centre James Roberts for excessive drinking last Friday night but have come under attack from Broncos legend Gorden Tallis, who unleashed a vicious spray on the club on Sunday.
Broncos coach Anthony Seibold spoke to Roberts at Broncos training on Sunday, 48 hours after the first photo of the 26-year-old emerged.
The first photo of James Roberts which emerged on social media.
The photo shows an unconscious Roberts being carried by four men out of what he says was a private party on Friday night.
"Roberts informed the club that he had too many drinks on the Friday night after the loss to the Dragons, at a private party at a home in Brisbane," a Broncos statement said on Sunday.
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"Roberts apologised for drinking to excess and said he remained committed to work through his ongoing rehabilitation."
On Friday, the Herald contacted Seibold, Broncos chief executive Paul White and club officials about the photo but neither Seibold nor White returned calls.
Undercover: NSW speedster James Roberts trains in Broncos colours.Credit:AAP
A second photo taken of Roberts passed out on the same night has since emerged.
It's understood Seibold made a point of declaring drinking off limits when injured upon his arrival at Brisbane.
Roberts has done exactly that after aggravating an Achilles injury during the loss to the Dragons but he will not be punished by the club.
"James' journey to this point has been well documented and he has made huge strides in recent years," White said on Sunday.
"This is a small blip on that journey, but we have all made poor decisions at times, and the club will continue to support James as we move forward."
Seibold labelled Roberts' decision to write himself off just 24 hours after suffering the Achilles injury as "disappointing" but backed the call to support the NSW centre.
"I've spoken to Jimmy about avoiding situations where he isn't in control," Seibold said.
"He understands and as a club we will continue to work through things with him."
The latest Roberts incident comes as Tallis took aim at the current crop of Broncos players, who have started the season in poor form.
Gordon Tallis took aim at his former club.Credit:Fairfax Media
"They have a $27 million facility and they all sit their drinking coffees and then they walk around the town like they own the place," Tallis said yesterday on Triple M.
"They own nothing. Theyve won nothing.
"A couple of my old teammates went to the 30th anniversary and all the highlights they showed were of all Read More – Source
