Canterbury Bulldogs fined for jersey fiasco, face sanction for trainer abuse towards ref

THE Bulldogs have been whacked with a $15,000 fine for the striped jersey fiasco while the club will also come under the microscope after an on-field trainer took aim at referee Ben Cummins on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs were fined for wearing similar striped jumpers to Parramatta in Round 19. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

THE Bulldogs have been whacked with a $15,000 fine for the striped jersey fiasco while the club will also come under the microscope after an on-field trainer took aim at referee Ben Cummins on Thursday night.

The Sunday Telegraph has learnt that it was former Bulldogs player turned club conditioner Tony Grimaldi who allegedly told Cummins “why don’t you ref fairly” as the pair walked up the tunnel at halftime during the Bulldogs win against Brisbane on Thursday night.

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The Bulldogs were fined for wearing similar striped jumpers to Parramatta in Round 19. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Grimaldi, who played 119 top grade games for the Bulldogs before retiring in 2006, could be hit with a breach notice which could result in a fine or a ban from his on-field duties.

The Bulldogs led 16-12 at halftime with the penalty count level at six-each. Canterbury went on to win the game 36-22 to shock the Broncos.

The NRL has launched an investigation. Former South Sydney trainer Kurt Wrigley was hit with a ban for trying to rip the ball off injured Penrith centre Tyrone Peachey in 2016.

Bulldogs legend Tony Grimaldi (pictured in 2004) is now a trainer with the club. Picture: Mark Evans.

It comes as the Bulldogs were hit with a $15,000 breach notice for wearing a strip which mirrored that of rivals Parramatta in their 14-8 loss in round 19.

It was Parramatta’s home game. Canterbury had wanted to wear a “Dogs of War” commemorative jersey which was denied by the NRL and were told to wear their home jersey despite being the away team.

Bulldogs officials incorrectly the away uniform to the ground which mirrored the horizontal strips of the Eels.

Fans had a torrid time telling the teams apart. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Canterbury soon realised the error before kick-off and had contemplated sending an official to their Belmore training base from ANZ Stadium to retrieve the other outfit before coming to the realisation those jerseys were still at the cleaners having worn them the previous week against South Sydney.

The jersey clash prompted widespread chatter on social leading Fox League commentator Warren Smith to tweet;

“A team wearing blue hooped jerseys versus a team wearing blue hooped jerseys is a visually unappealing spectacle,” Smith wrote. “Whatever happened to alternate strips?”

The Bulldogs can appeal the fine.

Originally published as Canterbury Bulldogs fined for jersey fiasco, face sanction for trainer abuse towards ref