“With regards to roster management,it has been well documented that the club has been in a rebuilding phase,working to improve our roster,recruiting to strengthen our current side,and focusing on our development systems and players to position our club for long-term,sustained excellence. The club stands by our recruitment processes.”
At the conclusion of Wednesday’s meeting,chairman Adam Driussi said that “the board unanimously agreed that it would vigorously defend the club and its employee Travis Touma against the claim lodged today by a former player. The club will be making no further comments at this time.”
Topine hasn’t played since the training incident.Credit:NRL Imagery
According to the claim,Topine made a mistake in reading the training schedule and arrived late for strapping,but was ready for the 8.30am wrestling session. He participated alongside his teammates in the scheduled session,which was conducted over 90 minutes,before being engaged to do “individual wrestling match-ups with between 30 to 35 players in the Bulldogs NRL player roster.”
“The plaintiff’s feelings of humiliation,indignity,embarrassment,and fear were exacerbated by the second defendant in circumstances where the second defendant did not advise the plaintiff why he was being punished before imposing the punishment,” the claim stated.
Bulldogs head trainer Travis Touma,the second defendant in the case,allegedly ignored requests from Topine’s teammates to reduce the intensity of the session despite a “marked deterioration in his capacity to defend himself and compete”.
When the session was complete,the claim states that Touma said words to the effect of “No,don’t congratulate or help him. He deserved that. He was f---ing late.”
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According to the claim,Topine “suffered psychiatric injury,deprivation of liberty,humiliation,indignity,physical exhaustion,physical discomfort,anxiety,embarrassment,and fear.”
It further states that the Bulldogs,on October 18 of last year,informed Topine of its decision that all playing fees,and the operation of the employment agreement,would cease after November 1,2023.
“The conduct ended any possibility that treatment-based recovery in 2024 would allow the plaintiff to play a game for the Bulldogs in 2024 and beyond (and NRL clubs generally).”
The claim further states:“In making the improper punishment direction,[Touma] intended to inflict physical and mental impairment through the making of derogatory and humiliating public statements which were also intended to prevent the plaintiff from obtaining relief or assistance from suffering.”
The NRL and Rugby League Players’ Association have been contacted for comment.
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