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UPDATED: A former Canterbury player has launched legal action against the club over allegations of “assault”, with the Bulldogs set to “vigorously defend” the allegations.
Jackson Topine has been revealed as the player who took leave from the Bulldogs last year and then levelled public allegations about training procedures he calls “unlawful corporal punishment” after a training session.
Documents lodged with the NSW Supreme Court reveal Topine’s lawyers are seeking $4 million from the Bulldogs over the saga.
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They argue the forward had a potential 12-year NRL career ahead of him and could have earned upwards of $400,000 a year.
Topine’s contract was reportedly terminated by Canterbury last year.
Canterbury has now revealed they will be defending themselves and staff member Travis Touma against Topine’s claims.
“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,” an official Bulldogs statement said.
“The club will be making no further comments at this time.”
Canterbury also says it takes player welfare very seriously.
The news followed reports in News Corp outlets claiming Topine was ordered to wrestle 35 teammates as punishment for being late to a training session on July 18.
In a statement of claim lodged with the court, lawyers say Topine was subjected to a “deprivation of liberty” and “unlawful corporal punishment”, saying he suffered “psychiatric injury” and “physical and mental impairment” as a result of his treatment.
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Canterbury provided a statement to The Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday which said “there are a number of allegations that we categorically deny”.
“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,” the Bulldogs said.
