The NRL has sanctioned the high-profile television commentator after he labelled the game “stupid” in a rant about rules interpretations.
Storm prop admits the cases involving Jackson Topine and Lloyd Perrett could force clubs to change the way they train,whilePenrith have taken a cautious approach with their superstar halfback’s return from injury.
A text message from Marcus Topine to a Bulldogs staffer in July last year set the tone for the $4 million claim against the club.
In elite contact sports where toughness is a revered quality,there can be little difference between galvanising a player’s potential and potentially damaging it.
It’s long been accepted that players are pushed to breaking point to separate the mentally fragile players from the game’s most resilient athletes - but it’s a fine line.
Three weeks before it was claimed Jackson Topine was incapable of playing the sport,his agent was spruiking his client’s availability as an off-contract player.
Some of the players at the Bulldogs wrestling session in which Jackson Topine was used as “shark bait” are expected to testify if the case goes to a hearing.
Travis Touma was part of the Roosters training staff for more than a decade,during which time they won three premierships.
Jackson Topine hasn’t played in the NRL since claiming he was forced to wrestle up to 35 players back to back. Now the matter is before the Supreme Court.
Reed Mahoney has nothing to answer for regarding the tunnel incident,while Jack Hetherington is fortunate to escape with a one-match suspension.
The Knights forward is facing a one-match ban for the incident,and Canterbury want to know why their player was charged.