Michael Carayannis says Newcastle pair Kalyn Ponga and Kurt Mann are “adamant” that there was no wrongdoing in the toilet cubicle of an establishment.
The Knights duo were kicked out of the venue after they were found by a security guard in the cubicle.
Ponga’s father and manager Andre later explained that the superstar fullback was “sick in the toilet” and being helped by his mate.
The Daily Telegraph’s Carayannis says the Knights have bought the story but expects the NRL to soon come knocking.
He believes it could be a “sackable offence” if they are found to have lied about why they were in the cubicle.
“They are steadfast in their reasoning why they were in the cubicle, they told Newcastle officials that yesterday,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I’m assuming they’ll be telling the NRL Integrity Unit whenever they chat with the players, if that hasn’t been done already.
“The NRL will try and talk with the staff and security of the Newcastle establishment to try and gauge exactly what was going on. Everyone saw the reaction of the security guard, he was quite shocked when he realised it was Kalyn Ponga leaving.
“If anything more comes of it and they were found to have lied, I think it’s a sackable offence.
“The players are adamant, they’ve spoken to Newcastle officials and Newcastle officials believe them. I guess because that’s how steadfast they were.”
SEN 1170’s Andrew Voss admits the scene is an extremely bad look for the struggling club.
“It’s a bad look to an extent that the team is playing that night, the Knights are having a wretched season and there’s your captain and one of your players and they’re out on the drink,” Voss said.
“That’s a bad look. Not a sackable offence but a bad look.
“Secondly, both players - one has concussion and is sitting out - the other has a soft tissue injury. At all the professional clubs there is a no drinking policy when you are rehabbing injury.
“Is there penalty for that within the walls of Newcastle?”
Carayannis is expecting both players to be punished for breaking club rules.
“For sure,” he replied.
“Kurt Mann has a soft tissue injury and is hoping to be back at some stage this year. He’ll be sanctioned for sure.
“Kalyn Ponga is a little bit of a grey area. He’s not going to be back this year so are Newcastle supposed to impose a drinking ban for the off-season or the rest of the year? How’s that supposed to work?
“Apparently he hadn’t had a drink while he was undergoing all the tests around his concussion, but he’s in full training at the moment.
“There’s a great area in terms of Kalyn. I’d be surprised if he’s not disciplined in some way. Kurt Mann will be disciplined for sure.”
The Knights, who sit 14th with a 6-15 record, next meet the Raiders at home on Sunday.