As a fan of most sports – particularly rugby league, AFL, horse racing and the English Premier League – it provides plenty of opportunity for a weekend amber.

So McGregor’s drink-driving charge for a low-range 0.063 reading, the morning after a day at Kembla Grange races, is a cautionary tale for the average punter.

In my past life, playing amateur rugby union in Canada, it was common to have a couple of beers afterwards and car pool home. 

Over in British Columbia, the legal limit is 0.08, which would have put Mary in the clear.

Still, the bar is higher in Australia and a regrettable mistake cannot go unpunished, given his standing in the Illawarra and the NRL.

So now he’s been fined and a report belatedly sent to the NRL, we can all move on right? 

Of course we can, but there remains a broader question of transparency and accountability.

The breath test happened before Anzac Day, so it’s at least half-expected McGregor and the club would want to delay telling the players, to allow them to focus on the Roosters game.

McGregor told the club on Sunday, but the Dragons only handed a report to an unwitting NRL Integrity Unit on Thursday, after the matter became public.

“Paul informed management at the time of the incident and the matter was dealt with internally,” chief executive Peter Doust said. 

“The Dragons have today [Thursday] provided the NRL with a full report.

“Paul has been sanctioned by the club, heavily fined and he understands that his actions contravene his responsibilities as head coach.” Why the post-game delay in telling the NRL, if not just a reaction to the story being made public? 

It’s not like witnesses or CCTV footage had to be gathered, it’s a relatively straight-forward matter.

Some senior club officials were unaware until Thursday, the matter was so tightly held. 

Eight years ago, the Dragons told the media their captain at the time, Mark Gasnier, was not involved in an incident in Kings Cross, which led to gunshots fired at three Parramatta players, including Jarryd Hayne.

Doust denied he had tried to cover up Gasnier's involvement, despite putting out two conflicting statements.

Vastly different incidents, but now, like then, it’s not a great look for the club.

On Friday, the Dragons flew to New Zealand, no doubt grateful for the relative sanctuary away from the spotlight in Australia, after a contentious week.

The drink-driving charge was revealed after McGregor’s war of words with Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who accused the Dragons of playing for penalties for the second year in a row.

Rugby league clubs are strange beasts. Players are fined for any number of minor indiscretions to build culture and discipline.

McGregor must ensure his own misdemeanour does not have an adverse effect on the Dragons’ season.

The handling of the matter has undermined what McGregor – who was interviewed by media on Wednesday before it was public knowledge – has otherwise handled with his usual integrity. 

Accountability allows the wider public to view not only the issue itself, but how it’s dealt with.