Another Mad Monday disaster for the NRL with Bulldogs players caught stripping off
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has slammed the behaviour of Bulldogs players saying they will be penalised after being caught dropping their pants and dancing on tables in a raucous alcohol-fuelled Mad Monday party in The Rocks. The club today launched an inquiry, admitting it was a bad look for the game.
NSW
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FURIOUS NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has slammed the behaviour of Bulldogs players saying they will be penalised after being caught dropping their pants and dancing on tables in a raucous alcohol-fuelled Mad Monday party in The Rocks.
The club today launched an inquiry, admitting it was a bad look for the game.
“There’s no doubt we’ll take some action,” Greenberg said.
“I’ve asked the club today for a report.
“I expect that report to be on our desk within 24 hours.
“We’ll make some determinations quickly on the back of that, and then I want to start talking about the finals series.
“I have no problem with people celebrating the end of their season as long as they do it respectfully — on this occasion they have made some poor choices.
“That ultimately gives the game a black eye.
“It’s embarrassing for the players first of all, it’s embarrassing for their club and it’s embarrassing for the game.”
Footy’s annual Mad Monday antics hit a new low with players caught stripping naked and grabbing each other’s genitals while they danced on pub tables.
The Bulldogs second rower Adam Elliott dropped his pants and every other stitch of clothing on the balcony of the The Harbour View Hotel during the raucous partying, to roars of laughter from teammates and officials.
One member of the party even reached out and grabbed Elliott’s private parts as he danced to Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. The display marred the official launch yesterday of the NRL Finals, where the captains of the teams still vying for the Provan-Summons premiership trophy lined up in an effort to put the game’s best on display.
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Instead, the NRL was cast into yet another public relations disaster and now police have launched an investigation into whether the Harbour View Hotel breached its liquor licensing conditions.
“Police have been made aware of potential licensing issues at a hotel on Lower Fort Street at Dawes Point,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said this morning.
“The reports follow a function at the venue yesterday.
“Sydney City licensing police have attended the premises to speak with the licensee and make follow up inquiries.
“While police have received no formal complaints regarding any other matter at the hotel yesterday should further offences be identified action will be taken.”
The Bulldogs last night refused to comment on the celebrations but by this morning agreed to launch an inquiry, admitting the incident was a bad look for the game.
‘In regard to images from the team’s get together on Monday, the club accepts that they were unacceptable and a poor reflection on the individuals involved and the club,” a statement read.
“The players are aware of their responsibilities and the standards required when representing the club and yesterday’s behaviour was unacceptable and a bad look for the game.
“The club will now work with all relevant stakeholders to gather information and fully review what took place yesterday.
“The club is also working closely with the NRL in regard to determining the next steps in this review.”
The NRL has for years being trying to ditch its reputation for misbehaviour following scandals including Todd Carney’s infamous “bubbler” photograph in 2014 and Mitchell Pearce caught on video simulating sex with a dog two years later.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players and officials began arriving at the pub at around 1pm yesterday. Before long, players and team officials could be seen downing shots, chugging beers and gambling on the pokies.
The official celebration was held inside a roped-off section of the pub, but shouting, chanting and swearing could clearly be seen and heard in public areas as the partying dragged on for hours.
MORE: ‘NRL NEEDS TO COME DOWN HARD ON BULLDOGS’
Play fights spilled out on the ground floor between players, with Brett Morris screaming “KOB” — a commonly used acronym for “knock out boys.”
At one point a chant of “Yeah the boys!” rang out as a group of players flanked by star winger Morris left the pokie rooms after apparently scoring a big win.
As another group of players tried their luck, someone in the private function area shattered a glass, drawing jeers from other drinkers.
At one point, Bulldogs coach Dean Pay was wrapped up in a mock tackle by Brett and his twin Josh Morris and another man and knocked over the rope separating the private area, before they bundled themselves into an elevator.
A spokesman for Kia, the club’s major sponsor, declined to comment, saying the car manufacturer needed a briefing from the club on what happened.
Management at the Harbour View Hotel also refused to comment before hanging up the phone this morning.
Police officers were seen entering the premises at one point during the night.
Over at the Harbord Beach Hotel in Freshwater, a 20-strong group of Manly Sea Eagles also held Mad Monday celebrations in apparent defiance of a directive from coach Trent Barrett to cancel any partying because of the side’s dire performance.
The party kicked off around 3pm as costumed players gathered in the smokers area at the hotel’s rear.
“The theme was a movie from the year you were born in so there was a guy going as The Mask. another pair as Batman and Robin and a guy dressed up as what looked like Mrs Doubtfire,” said Telegraph photographer David Swift, who witnessed the celebrations.
“An inflatable crocodile made it into the mix somehow. Mrs Doubtfire lit up a cigarette and they all had stubbies in their hand.”
Just after 5pm the players headed into Taronga Zoo Wharf where they boarded a party cruise that lasted well into the evening.
The Sea Eagles finished one win away from the wooden spoon.