The Brisbane Broncos players toasted their recent NRL Grand Final triumph with a box of cigars. They spectacularly flouted the smoking ban at Accor Stadium. A handful of players flouted those restrictions, defying snapping cigars and sparking fresh cigars during the celebrations. This typical behavior was a letdown for both the performers and the audience.
Demands by stadium personnel to enforce the smoking ban failed miserably with players reportedly refusing to put out their cigars. Hillsides choked with clouds of black smoke folded over the landscape. The bitter smell of cigar smoke filled spaces packed with fans, families, and children. The behavior of the players can lead to hefty fines for breaches of Accor Stadium’s anti-smoking regulations.
After the exhibition, many players went back to their hotel around 7 a.m., but they were still wearing their team jerseys. Shortly after, they were supposed to be flying back to Brisbane for more celebratory events. The whole team was hoping to extend the festivities over to The Star Casino. First, they were excited to celebrate with their NRLW counterparts, who had recently brought home the premiership, at a reception in Kings Cross.
As one player recalled to me the ordeal, “I only took one or two puffs. Friends and teammates capitalized on the chance to roast anyone who didn’t want to smoke cigars. This made for an intense spirit of peer pressure at the parties.
Fans expressed disappointment over the players’ actions. One fan noted, “And you have a young audience … I really don’t think this is the most appropriate way to celebrate,” while another commented, “Probably not a good look for the kids.”
As the team prepares for further festivities, they are expected to arrive at Suncorp Stadium by 12:30 p.m. on the day of the event. Fans eager to celebrate with the team will gather outside Suncorp Stadium, with gates opening at 11:45 a.m. The day’s festivities are set to wrap up by 2 p.m., allowing fans an opportunity to celebrate their heroes.
