NRL 2022: Bulldogs move to ease major sponsor Arthur Laundy’s concerns over Trent Barrett’s exit

Bulldogs chairman John Khoury will reach out to the club’s major sponsor Arthur Laundy to explain the decision to part ways with coach Trent Barrett.

Publican Arthur Laundy along with Mark Bouris is investing in a Boxing and fitness venture called Hustle Boxing with the first gym open in Potts Point. Picture: David Swift.

Canterbury chair John Khoury plans to reach out to major sponsor Arthur Laundy and his son Craig, and take them through the decision to part ways with former coach Trent Barrett.

Khoury wants Laundy to know that he appreciates what he has done for the club. He wants Laundy to understand the rationale behind the departure of Barrett, whose tenure at the Bulldogs came to an end on Sunday night.

Canterbury chief executive Aaron Warburton has already spoken to the Laundys but Khoury wants to do so as well, such is the respect he has for the men who helped the club rebuild after their darkest hours.

Watch every game of NRL Live & Ad-Break Free In Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

“He is a passionate and caring man, who loves the club and only wants the best for us,” Khoury said of Arthur Laundy.

“He is hurting for his friend and I totally understand that. We all are. Aaron spoke to him yesterday and I will organise a catch up with him and Craig.

Bulldogs sponsor Arthur Laundy says he’s entitled to an explanation after Trent Barrett stood down as coach. Picture: Brett Costello

“They are generous, good people. I can’t speak highly enough of them and what they have done for the club. We need that passion at our club and we would love for them to be around into the future because they are what the Bulldogs are all about.”

Arthur Laundy, whose pub empire is one of the biggest in the country, told News Corp on Monday that he felt he deserved an explanation for the decision to part ways with Barrett.

He also revealed he is yet to begin talks with the club over extending his deal, which comes to an end later this year.

The Bulldogs are a famous brand but replacing Laundy, if he decides to leave, won’t be easy given the way the club has performed over the past two seasons.

Sponsorship dollars of that size don’t grow on trees, particularly when you are battling like the Bulldogs have in recent years.

Bulldogs chairman John Khoury will reach out to Arthur Laundy to explain Trent Barrett’s exit.

Head of football Phil Gould is a powerful magnet for sponsors but results speak more than anything and the Bulldogs simply didn’t get them during Barrett’s tenure, winning only five games over the past year and a bit.

The results largely explain why the club and Barrett decided to head in a different direction. The question now is whether Laundy will do the same given his close relationship with Barrett — the pair have known each other for two decades.

LAUNDY DEMANDS ANSWERS OVER BARRETT SPLIT

Bulldogs major sponsor Arthur Laundy has known Trent Barrett for two decades and believes he is entitled to a full explanation of the decision to part ways with the coach only 10 games into a new season.

Laundy also revealed he is yet to open talks with the Bulldogs over a new deal — his contract with the club as major sponsor comes to an end later this year.

Laundy reached out to Barrett via text message on Monday morning and planned to send another message to head of football Phil Gould seeking some clarity around the departure of the coach, who has struggled to get results during his tenure.

His fate was sealed after the club’s latest loss — a 16-6 defeat at the hands of Newcastle on the opening night of Magic Round.

“I sent a text to Trent and he said he will talk to me in a few days time,” Laundy said.

Laundy says he’s put more money into the club than anyone else and deserves answers. Picture: David Swift.

“I know things haven’t been going well. Very sad, very sad. I just hope it has all been handled the way it should be handled.

“I have a good relationship with Trent. I have known Trent for 20 years. I had a good relationship with (Barrett’s predecessor) Dean Pay, who I have known longer.

“I was informed by the club this morning that we had parted ways. There has been no comment as to how it parted.

“I have had everyone ringing me but I don’t know any answers. I would like to get to the bottom of it. I would like to know what happened.

“That is why I sent a text to Trent. I will also be sending a text to Gus Gould saying can somebody please explain to me exactly how this situation has developed.”

Laundy insisted he had earned the right to have the decision explained to him given the amount of money he has ploughed into the club over the past two years.

“I think I am entitled to that,” he said.

“I have put more money in than anyone else. I think I am entitled to that. My contract finishes this year. It is open to go ahead if necessary.

“I have been a publican for 65 years but throughout my life, I have always endeavoured to do the right thing.

Laundy has known Barrett for over 20 years and is sad to see him leave the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images.

“I would hope that is the same way as this has been handled. Trent is a friend but it wouldn’t matter if it was Billy Bloggs … I would be jumping up and down then too.

“All I do know is it is because of results. It appears in rugby league — this is my first endeavour into it — that these sort of things happen if you are not performing.

“I would like to be very certain it has happened in the right way. I would like to get the right answers.”

Laundy is yet to make a decision on whether he will continue to sponsor the club beyond this season. He initially said he would do it for two years at a time when the Bulldogs were struggling to get corporate support for the front of their jersey.

Their results in recent times suggest it won’t necessarily be easy to replace Laundy, although Gould is a magnet for corporate dollars and his clout could open doors if Laundy decides to end his partnership with the club.

“It will happen soon that they will start talking to me,” he said. “I said I would do it for two years. I have done one and a half years now. The two years finishes at the end of this season.

“I will have to be happy with them and they will have to be happy with me.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Bulldogs move to ease major sponsor Arthur Laundy’s concerns over Trent Barrett’s exit