Cronulla's Josh Dugan has been fined $50,000 and removed from the club's biosecurity bubble following his second breach of the game's protocols in a matter of months.
The 31-year-old was stopped by police twice on Friday night, once in Lithgow and later in Yetholme near Bathurst having already been told to return home.
On Thursday, the NRL confirmed the sanction, having taken into account an earlier breach and subsequent $25,000 fine.
"The Notice alleges Dugan drove to Lithgow with a friend on the evening of 20 August, in contravention of the game’s Level 4 Protocols," an NRL statement said.
"In considering the proposed penalty, the NRL took into account that the alleged breach was Dugan’s second serious contravention of biosecurity protocols in the past 2 months.
"The NRL alleges that Dugan has shown a continued failure to comply with the protocols and poses an unacceptable risk to his teammates in the NSW bubble."
Dugan, who did not travel with the Sharks squad to their hub in Queensland and hasn't featured in the NRL since May, was fined $25,000 in June after he dined with friends at a restaurant in Potts Point after the NRL had imposed more restrictions on players.
Out of contract at the end of the season, incoming Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has already informed Dugan he won't be re-signed beyond this year.
Former teammate Paul Gallen believes Dugan's NRL career may be over.
"The thing about Josh Dugan is he's now 31 years of age and off-contract," Gallen said on 100% Footy.
"Unfortunately throughout his career, he's had minor issues, nothing too bad, but minor issues.
"I think Josh has played his last game in the NRL. I think his next move will be Super League or retirement."
Dugan could still face police charges over the matter given he was in breach if NSW public health orders.
