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Jackson Topine sues Bulldogs

Vlad59

Juniors
Messages
1,571
He was one of many names of an Agent's current listed of uncontracted players that he sent to all clubs.
That's different to being 'shopped around' IMO.
So sending a persons name on a list of uncontracted players for clubs to consider signing isn’t ‘shopping around’. Then what is it?
 

dogslife

Coach
Messages
18,638
There are nearly always more than the top 30 training. There are the players on development contracts and the train and trials just to mention 2.

Never less this is ridiculous, could we end up with USA colleges closed due to Topine demontrations :)
Not at 8am on a weekday you don't, most of those blokes would have full time jobs
 

Frailty

First Grade
Messages
9,349
So sending a persons name on a list of uncontracted players for clubs to consider signing isn’t ‘shopping around’. Then what is it?
It's an output report of a contract management system that the agent would regularly do.
Chances are the agent didn't even look at or edit the list before it was sent out. Also, assuming he has still an agent contract with the player, it would be best practice for the agent to send Topine on the list just in case a team saw and wanted to discuss the possibility of him playing.

Shopping around would be directly approaching club's recruitment reps to directly sell Topine to their club. Think of it this way - a list of his off-contract agents is like a menu, whilst 'player shopping' is selling items like a door-to-door salesperson.
 
Messages
14,232
He was one of many names of an Agent's current listed of uncontracted players that he sent to all clubs.
That's different to being 'shopped around' IMO.
Shopped in bulk then? The agent has tried to find him another club, but there was no bite.
 

ouwet

Bench
Messages
3,831
Yeah guys other clubs don't do the same LOL...

The whole NRL have to back the Dogs or everything will change (Anasta isn't wrong).

Anytime some gets cut or on the outer they will use the Topine excuse.

 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
66,115
A lot will come down to those players that were allegedly reluctant to take part in it as they could see he was in distress and exhausted. If they front up, like they should, then the club hasnt a leg to stand on. At that point his claims of over the top treatment become corroborated by third parties and Bulldogs lose. Just because something has happened before (not that we know it has, maybe this was the first time this level a punishment was dished out?), doesn't mean its ok.

Its a fine line between pushing players through behavioral punishment to improve and outright abuse. The reality is it isnt the 80's anymore and what was ok in the past isnt ok now, you can argue the rights or wrongs, the woke/snowflake v bullying and abuse argument as much as you want but it doesn't change times have changed.
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
66,115
Yeah guys other clubs don't do the same LOL...

The whole NRL have to back the Dogs or everything will change (Anasta isn't wrong).

Anytime some gets cut or on the outer they will use the Topine excuse.

And maybe that change isnt a bad thing?
Like has been said its a very fine line between pushing someone to breaking point to show them their limits and build resilience, and actually emotionally breaking them beyond repair.
 

ouwet

Bench
Messages
3,831
And maybe that change isnt a bad thing?
Like has been said its a very fine line between pushing someone to breaking point to show them their limits and build resilience, and actually emotionally breaking them beyond repair.

The quality of NRL and sport in general will change!
You are either built for it or not, there is no in-between!

Wrestling 4 minutes longer isn't even that bad of a punishment... Burns did it the next week no issues! Getting blind folding and made to walk along a cliff top is worse, the things Penrith did was worse but they did it, loved it and became better athletes for it, they are champions! FMD no wonder the Dogs have been pathetic for years with people like Topine at the club!
 

ouwet

Bench
Messages
3,831
A lot will come down to those players that were allegedly reluctant to take part in it as they could see he was in distress and exhausted. If they front up, like they should, then the club hasnt a leg to stand on. At that point his claims of over the top treatment become corroborated by third parties and Bulldogs lose. Just because something has happened before (not that we know it has, maybe this was the first time this level a punishment was dished out?), doesn't mean its ok.

You are presuming everything on the statement by his lawyers are factual... they are not!

Players will front up and what? Say he was exhausted? Pre season is more exhausting then that, they all do it. Fighting through exhaustion is part of the sport!

Any player who testifies against the Bulldogs will not get picked up by any professional RL club... I dare a player to testify, every single one of them are still current players.
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
66,115
The quality of NRL and sport in general will change!
You are either built for it or not, there is no in-between!

Wrestling 4 minutes longer isn't even that bad of a punishment... Burns did it the next week no issues! Getting blind folding and made to walk along a cliff top is worse, the things Penrith did was worse but they did it, loved it and became better athletes for it, they are champions! FMD no wonder the Dogs have been pathetic for years with people like Topine at the club!
Maybe they all just need to be given a safe word lol

Without knowing if this punishment was unduly distressing compared to dying your hair or eating a chili its hard to say who is right or wrong. It'll be interesting if it does get to court to see how it is viewed.

Hopefully Topine can get through it and maybe go to SL and resurrect his career there. He has plenty of talent.
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
66,115
You are presuming everything on the statement by his lawyers are factual... they are not!

Players will front up and what? Say he was exhausted? Pre season is more exhausting then that, they all do it. Fighting through exhaustion is part of the sport!

Any player who testifies against the Bulldogs will not get picked up by any professional RL club... I dare a player to testify, every single one of them are still current players.
Not presuming anything. There has been rumblings out of Bulldogs for some time around this stuff. What I said was IF the players front up and say what they have allegedly said then Bulldogs are screwed.

And there is a big difference between being exhausted and being in significant distress. Pre season exists and is tough to get them fit for their job.
This was punishment for mistakenly being 10mins late to work. The two are totally different things with no relevance to each other.

You're probably right, which is a bit sad if the Bulldogs have stepped over the line of player welfare. On the flipside would you want to sign for Bulldogs if this is there culture?
 
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Bazal

Post Whore
Messages
99,969
The quality of NRL and sport in general will change!
You are either built for it or not, there is no in-between!

Wrestling 4 minutes longer isn't even that bad of a punishment... Burns did it the next week no issues! Getting blind folding and made to walk along a cliff top is worse, the things Penrith did was worse but they did it, loved it and became better athletes for it, they are champions! FMD no wonder the Dogs have been pathetic for years with people like Topine at the club!

You seem very worked up over this! Are you ok!
 

Danish

Referee
Messages
31,904
Maybe they all just need to be given a safe word lol

Without knowing if this punishment was unduly distressing compared to dying your hair or eating a chili its hard to say who is right or wrong. It'll be interesting if it does get to court to see how it is viewed.

Hopefully Topine can get through it and maybe go to SL and resurrect his career there. He has plenty of talent.

They already have a safe word - “I quit”
 

Danish

Referee
Messages
31,904
Not presuming anything. There has been rumblings out of Bulldogs for some time around this stuff. What I said was IF the players front up and say what they have allegedly said then Bulldogs are screwed.

And there is a big difference between being exhausted and being in significant distress. Pre season exists and is tough to get them fit for their job.
This was punishment for mistakenly being 10mins late to work. The two are totally different things with no relevance to each other.

You're probably right, which is a bit sad if the Bulldogs have stepped over the line of player welfare. On the flipside would you want to sign for Bulldogs if this is there culture?

Please explain the difference between “exhaustion” and “significant distress” in this case
 

Mick Benson

Juniors
Messages
168
Court f**ken sucks. Plenty of reason to settle tight there tbh.

Tbh the most common outcome in a civil matter is both sides kinda lose. That's why so many settle, it's meaningless in terms of gauging who was in the right
Spot on. Also, many settlements expressly do not admit liability.

This seems likely to settle, and probably should. People shouldn't get hung up on the headline numbers.
 

The Realist

Juniors
Messages
1,679
This is a tough one. I would normally say that a player in such an instance is obviously too soft and not cut out for an NRL career but there are a few things reported that if true make me think Topine will win and deserve to;

1. Topine was physically impaired by what might be deemed unreasonable punishment.
2. There are other players who were clearly uncomfortable with or distressed by what they witnessed.

If those players testify, Bulldogs will have to settle or lose.

One of those players I believe to be Raymond Faitala-Mariner and he didn't exactly leave the club on good terms. I hope he testifies.
 

Canard

Immortal
Messages
34,651
10 or so years ago, we all thought the shoulder charge was one of the highlights of our game, and that banning it would ruin Rugby League forever. We also thought the boys punching on, was just a bit of "argey bargey"

Times changes, standards get updated, society moves on.
 

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