Former Canterbury forward Jackson Topine has taken a landmark $4 million legal action against the club, claiming he was subjected to “assault” when forced to wrestle up to 35 teammates during a training session.
Topine has commenced legal proceedings against the Bulldogs over an incident last year in which he was punished for allegedly reporting late for training, according to News Corp reports. It is claimed the contract of the former Australian Schoolboy was illegally terminated and he has not played football since.
Jackson Topine alleges he has lost the chance to have a decade-plus career in the NRL.Credit: NRL Imagery
Lawyers acting for Topine believe the forward had a 10-12 year NRL career in front of him, in which he was capable of earning between $300,000 and $400,000 per annum.
However, the training session on July 18, 2023, has been described in his statement of claim as a “deprivation of liberty” and “unlawful corporal punishment”. It is claimed Topine suffered “psychiatric injury” and “physical and mental impairment” as a result.
The Bulldogs provided a statement which said “there are a number of allegations that we categorically deny”.
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The statement also said, in part: “As we do take mental health concerns very seriously and given the appropriate sensitivities that should be applied in matters concerning mental health, the club will not be making any comment at this time on any of the individuals at the centre of the allegations below.
“With regards to roster management, it has been well documented that the club has been in a rebuilding phase, working to improve our roster, recruiting to strengthen our current side, and focusing on our development systems and players to position our club for long-term, sustained excellence. The club stands by our recruitment processes.”
More to come
Source Agencies
