Bulldogs rocked by $4m lawsuit over unlawful corporal punishment

Former NRL player Jackson Topine has taken action against the Canterbury Bulldogs, claiming he experienced “unlawful corporal punishment” while with the club.

The lawsuit, totalling $4 million, alleges that Topine was made to wrestle between 30 and 35 teammates as a consequence for being around 10 minutes late to a training session.

This incident, allegedly overseen by head trainer Travis Touma in July 2023, reportedly caused Topine mental distress.

Despite the Bulldogs refuting some of the accusations and stressing their dedication to player wellbeing, they have chosen not to comment on details.

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Last year, there were reports about a Bulldogs player needing health leave due to a wrestling punishment.

Phil Gould, the club’s general manager, has supported attempts to change the team’s culture, mentioning that some players struggle with the demands of intense training.

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As the legal process continues, the NRL community is eager to see how this unsettling situation unfolds.

The Bulldogs are having one of their best seasons in many years, and it remains to be seen how these allegations might affect them ahead of their clash with the Wests Tigers in round nine.

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