The Bulldogs are entangled in a lawsuit involving a player who left the team due to
According to reports from The Daily Telegraph, the Bulldogs are entangled in a legal dispute with a player who left the team’s training sessions and took a stand due to mental health concerns last year.
Talks between the club and the player have apparently reached an impasse, leading to the legal battle. The player, who is regarded highly and remains part of the Bulldogs’ top 30, opted to step down after being instructed to engage in wrestling with teammates as a form of punishment for tardiness during training sessions.
The player, whose identity remains undisclosed due to mental health considerations, has refrained from training with the Bulldogs since the incident occurred late last season. Both the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) and the NRL welfare team are actively monitoring the situation.
When approached by the Telegraph for comment, Canterbury’s chief executive Aaron Warburton declined to provide further details, citing ongoing legal proceedings. Warburton did not confirm whether the player in question is still receiving payment from the club.
Last year, Coach Cameron Ciraldo’s rigorous training methods came under scrutiny after then-captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner raised concerns on behalf of several dissatisfied players.
Faitala-Mariner’s departure from the Bulldogs came after facing contractual issues, ultimately leading to a mutual agreement to part ways with the club. He has since joined the Dragons.
Regarding the incident, Coach Ciraldo addressed the media last year and defended the club’s decision regarding the player’s punishment. Ciraldo emphasized that the Bulldogs were focused on reshaping the team culture and implementing higher standards to enhance on-field performance following a period of underachievement.
Ciraldo refrained from providing further commentary on the matter, acknowledging its sensitivity at the time.
“I prefer not to delve into specifics, but there have been instances where we’ve aimed to establish certain standards, and tardiness necessitated a response.
“Our objective is to instill high standards conducive to winning performances. This has entailed various measures, including financial repercussions, random selection methods like spinning a wheel, and implementing strategies to foster behavioral changes.”
“The truth is, we’re in need of behavioral changes within the team, and I believe we’ve made significant strides in that regard over the season. It’s disheartening for the fans to see our current position.
“In terms of progress compared to last year, it doesn’t feel like we’ve moved forward significantly, nor have we regressed.”
