Image: Kotoni Staggs of the Broncos is tackled by Jackson Topine of the Bulldogs during the NRL Round 20 match between the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and the Brisbane Broncos at Belmore Sportsground in Sydney, Saturday, July 15, 2023. (AAP Image/Mark Evans)
by CHRISTINE LAI
Lawyers of former Bulldog Jackson Topine have this week lodged a statement of claim for $4 million and alleged that he was subjected to “unlawful corporal punishment” for being “eight to 10 minutes late to training.”
The allegations have raised questions about NRL clubs’ treatment of players, especially punishments for breaking group expectations.
Topine was reportedly detained at a Sydney gym and coerced into participating in a wrestling match with roughly 30 to 35 of his fellow Bulldogs as punishment for arriving late.
Topine’s lawyer officially lodged a statement of claim for $4 million against the Canterbury team in the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday, alleging that his client was rendered incapable of participating in the sport following the wrestling session on July 18, citing the physical and mental harm it inflicted.
Court documents detail the alleged punishment led to psychiatric distress, humiliation, and fear.
Inside Topine’s Lawsuit: Bulldogs’ Alleged Assault
The incident, detailed in a statement of claim filed in the New South Wales Supreme Court, outlines that Topine’s late arrival prompted an impromptu session, separate from the scheduled training schedule.
His legal action argues that actions directed by head trainer Travis Touma amounted to “assault and battery,” causing “psychiatric injury” and “physical and mental impairment.”
Topine alleges that Bulldogs conditioning coach Touma instructed players with phrases like, “Don’t let him up if he’s down, jump on him straight away,” and, “No, don’t congratulate or help him. He deserved that. He was f–king late.”
According to the lawsuit, Touma imposed the punishment on Topine even after the players had already undergone a gruelling 90-minute wrestling session.
This disturbing episode occurred just three days after his last match for the Bulldogs in July last year. Topine argued the session constituted a “deprivation of liberty” and has led to his “ongoing incapacity to play the game.”
Following the wrestling session, Topine continued his training regime with the team and participated in the Rooty Hill camp leading up to the Panthers match in the subsequent round, fulfilling his obligations as the 18th man.
However, the following week, he informed the club on Monday night of his need for a week off and ceased communication with the club.
Despite the club’s continued payment for over three months, numerous attempts to reach him through texts, phone calls and mail remained unanswered. Throughout this period, the Bulldogs kept the NRL informed about the situation, including when they ceased payment.
The lawsuit additionally alleges that the Bulldogs notified Topine in October that all playing fees and the terms of the employment agreement would terminate after November 1, 2023.
Canterbury Bulldogs Chair Adam Driussi said: “The board unanimously agreed that it would vigorously defend the club and its employee Travis Touma against the claim lodged today by a former player. The club will be making no further comments at this time.”
Touma stands accused of persisting with the wrestling punishment despite Topine’s evident distress and exhaustion, as stated in court documents: “Each player on the Bulldogs roster, who engaged in wrestling matches against the plaintiff, demonstrated significant levels of fitness and strength.”
Former Bulldogs Captain Raises Alarm Over Training Tactics
Last year, reports surfaced revealing player dissatisfaction within the Bulldogs ranks concerning the team’s training methods. Former captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner addressed these concerns with management before ultimately parting ways with the club.
Faitala-Mariner’s departure from the Bulldogs followed a turbulent six-month period marked by his advocacy for teammates, which reportedly led to clashes with coach Cameron Ciraldo over training methods left unaddressed.
Fox Sports reported that multiple Polynesian players reportedly approached the former captain with apprehensions regarding the club’s culture and training routines, prompting him to raise these issues with club officials. However, Ciraldo reinforced his expectations despite these concerns.
Canterbury Management Defend Firm Approach to Player Welfare
During that period, Canterbury general manager Phil Gould endorsed the firm approach of the coaching staff under Cameron Ciraldo.
“We’re the worst team in the competition right now and have been for some time,” Gould said on the Six Tackles With Gus podcast last August.
Ciraldo also acknowledged last August that punishments had been administered during his time, as the club sought to climb its way back to the top after last appearing in finals in 2016.
“Nothing comes without hard work”, Ciraldo said at the time.
Ciraldo refrained from discussing the specific case on Tuesday due to legal constraints but emphasised that the Bulldogs prioritise the well-being of their players.
“We do as much, if not more, than any other club,” Ciraldo said.
“The number of people that care about the welfare of our players. We do a lot of stuff around cultural activities and understanding each person’s culture”, he said.
Topine, who led both the NSW and Australian schoolboy teams, debuted in first grade during round 4 of the 2021 NRL season against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He has played 16 NRL games for the Bulldogs and represented the Maori All Stars in 2021.
However, the former second row forward has not participated in rugby league since the alleged punishment incident.
Leave a Reply