In a significant legal case, former Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs player Jackson Topine has launched a $4 million lawsuit claiming he faced unlawful and humiliating punishment during a training session in 2023. Topine alleges that upon arriving late, he was forced to engage in a rigorous wrestling drill against up to 35 teammates, causing him mental distress and injury.
Key figures expected to testify in support of Topine’s claims include former Bulldogs captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner and NSW State of Origin player Tevita Pangai Jr. Despite attempts from Topine’s legal team to secure their testimony through sworn statements, these efforts have yet to succeed. However, once a trial date is established in June, Topine’s barrister, Shane Prince SC, plans to request court orders for these players to provide evidence.
Justice David Davies acknowledged the importance of formal testimony, hinting at the compelling nature of subpoenas in legal proceedings. The Bulldogs club has stood by the wrestling punishment, asserted by high-performance manager Travis Touma, describing it as a common disciplinary measure among NRL teams and stating it was only six minutes long.
Topine aims to subpoena several individuals, including former teammates and players from other clubs, to strengthen his case. Yet, Bulldogs’ counsel has expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding what specific evidence these players would provide at trial. This situation has led to questions about fairness and cooperation from both sides.
As the legal proceedings unfold, there is a clear expectation for Topine to submit a detailed outline of the anticipated evidence from the uncooperative players within a week. He is also required to undergo a psychiatric evaluation mandated by the Bulldogs by mid-April.
The case, which has been set to return to court on June 10 to establish a trial date, surrounds serious allegations about player treatment within the high-pressure environment of NRL training sessions. Topine, who has played 16 games in the NRL and one for the Maori All-Stars, claims that the incident resulted in ongoing incapacity to play and that the Bulldogs breached their duty by ceasing payment of his wages in late 2023. He is seeking damages reflective of the average earnings of NRL players throughout their careers.