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. It is claimed the contract of the former Australian Schoolboy was illegally terminated and he has not played football since.
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 – which has been obtained by this masthead – as a “deprivation of liberty” and “unlawful corporal punishment”. It is claimed Topine suffered “psychiatric injury” and “physical and mental impairment” as a result.
“All professional sports teams should ensure they attend to their responsibilities with respect to their players, whether it’s providing a safe workplace, or ensuring they are fairly remunerated or, significantly, receive required medical treatment when needed, especially if the injury occurs within the workplace,” said Topine’s lawyer, Abdullah Reslan of Kings Law Group.
“Termination should not be a solution.”
Jackson Topine alleges he has lost the chance to have a decade-plus career in the NRL.Credit: NRL Imagery
The Bulldogs provided a statement which said “there are a number of allegations that we categorically deny”.
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.
