Two senior Bulldogs stars ‘wanted player punished with wrestling’ after team trainer said no and had him grapple with ’24 teammates’
Two senior Bulldogs stars ‘wanted player punished with wrestling’ after team coach said no and made him wrestle with ’24 teammates’
- Two Bulldogs players wanted the late player penalized
- Trainer originally wanted him sent home
- The wrestling penalty lasted less than 5 minutes
It has been revealed that two senior Bulldogs players wanted a player penalized for wrestling after showing up late to training as new details of the Canterbury training drama come to light.
The coaching methods at the club have come under scrutiny this week after a fringe player refused to return to the Bulldogs after wrestling 24 teammates as part of a training penalty.
The current Bulldogs stars have since spoken out anonymously about the intense training environment at Belmore Park, although captain Reed Mahoney insisted the whole squad is on board with coach Cameron Ciraldo.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that the player at the center of the scandal had some punctuality issues earlier this season and that when he arrived late to a wrestling session it was felt it was a ‘time to take a stand’.
Bulldogs coach Travis Touma wanted the player sent home, but after consulting with two senior players who felt it was unfair for him to leave the session, it was decided that the player should do the session – then complete the wrestling penalty after it was over.
Senior Bulldogs players wanted a player penalized with a wrestling drill after arriving late
Coach Cameron Ciraldo’s coaching methods were in the spotlight this week
If players of the club are late for a running session, they will be penalized with extra running. If they are late for a workout at the gym, they may be forced to do additional gym activities – so it was not uncommon for the player to be penalized with additional wrestling after arriving late.
The additional wrestling reportedly lasted just over four minutes, with the player in question having to wrestle his teammates one at a time for between five and ten seconds while on their knees.
The player in question would be smiling and exhausted afterwards and continue to show up at sessions for the rest of the week.
The Rugby League Players Association confirmed last week that it is investigating the incident.
âThe RLPA is aware of an issue and we will continue to work with the player and his representatives to address it. Once we have completed that process, we will be in touch with club officials,â said RLPA CEO Clint Newton.
“We must emphasize that these matters are incredibly private and confidentiality must be respected.”
The Daily telegram reported that another Bulldogs player received the same penalty for being late for training the following week.
Asked about the incident, Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton said: ‘The whole process is very sensitive â I can’t comment.’
The wrestling sentence in question reportedly lasted just over four minutes
The incident comes amid reports that another player, Braidon Burns, raised concerns after a training session last week. He joined his manager, Allan Gainey, in meeting with Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould to discuss the situation.
Burns struggled to complete training drills due to a hamstring injury. His agent is now investigating the options for the player in the British Super League.