"Last one to leave the convenience store is a rotten egg."
These may or may not be the words uttered by five men in Townsville last night who are accused by police of purchasing eggs at a convenience store and throwing them at vehicles before driving off.
It is allegged -- sorry, make that alleged -- that the egg-throwers included members of the North Queensland Cowboys NRL team, who are the reigning premiers and who play the storm in Melbourne in the first vs fourth qualifying final on Saturday night.
Among them is Jason Taumololo, the 23-year-old power forward who was a member of the premiership team last year and who has played five Tests for his native New Zealand. Ironically, Taumololo is the player the Cowboys sent earlier this week to the NRL finals launch.
The Townsville Bulletin reports that police have charged the players, including one starter and international, with two counts of wilful damage each after they were intercepted by officers.
Police will allege the players were pulled over for a random breath test when a member of the public alerted them to the incident. At least two players from the Under-20s squad are believed to be involved in the incident.
Here's the statement just issued by Queensland Police.
Police are investigating an incident involving five men which occurred on Hugh Street, Currajong last night.
It will be alleged around 10pm the men attended a Hugh Street convenience store and purchased a number of eggs.
As the men left the business it will be alleged they threw eggs at five vehicles parked nearby causing damage before driving off in a vehicle.
A number of vehicles received minor damage in the alleged incident.
Around 11.30pm police were patrolling nearby when they stopped a vehicle for the purpose of a random breath test (RBT). At this time a member of the public advised officers that this vehicle was allegedly involved in an earlier wilful damage incident in Hugh Street.
It will further be alleged a number of eggs and egg cartons were located in the vehicle.
The men, aged 18, 21, 22, 23 and 25, have all been issued with Notices to Appear for two counts each of wilful damage.
They will all appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on October 11.
More to come.