Broncos winger Josiah Karapani handed $350 fine for drink driving offence

Broncos winger Josiah Karapani avoids criminal conviction over drink driving offencePosted Tue 21 Jul 2026 at 10:27amTue 21 Jul 2026 at 10:27am, updated Tue 21 Jul 2026 at 10:36amTue 21 Jul 2026 at 10:36amJosiah Karapani has apologised outside court after recieving a $350 fine for a drink driving offence. (ABC News)In short:Brisbane Broncos winger Josiah Karapani has been fined $350 and disqualified from driving for three months after pleading guilty to a drink driving offence.Karapani was pulled over by police last month and received multiple infringements for speeding, driving an uninsured vehicle and failing to display P1 plates.What's next?No conviction was recorded and Karapani is set to face further punishment by the NRL Integrity Unit.Brisbane Broncos winger, Josiah Karapani has apologised outside court, after pleading guilty to a drink driving offence.The 24-year-old was fined $350 and disqualified from driving for three months, after he was charged in June with driving over the no alcohol limit while holding a provisional license."I'm very sorry for my actions," he said outside the Holland Park Magistrates Court.His lawyer told the court Karapani had been drinking with friends on the night of June 27.The following morning, he drove, believing there was no alcohol in his system, and was pulled over by police on the Pacific Motorway at Eight Mile Plains.His blood alcohol content was 0.037.The Broncos winger is awaiting further punishment by the NRL Integrity Unit. (AAP: Dave Hunt)His lawyer today told the court he concedes he "miscalculated" and was "remorseful" and in hindsight, would not have driven the vehicle.He was issued several other infringement notices on that day, including for driving an unregistered vehicle, failing to display P1 plates, driving an uninsured vehicle and exceeding the speed limit by at least 11km/h.A reference letter, penned by Broncos wellbeing and education manager, Adam Walsh was tendered to the court.Representatives from the Broncos were in court to support the winger.The court heard Karapani has no criminal or traffic history and was awaiting further punishment by the NRL Integrity Unit.Magistrate Kerrie O'Callaghan said this offence was "out of character" for the young footballer."I note you have a career as a successful football player and that's ongoing," she said."I also note that you're going to suffer the extra-curial punishment as a result of the steps taken by the NRL Integrity Unit."No conviction was recorded.