NRL 2021: Bulldogs hit with massive Covid sanctions

The Canterbury Bulldogs club and five individual players have been hit with huge sanctions over Covid breaches.

Josh Dugan of the Sharks reacts after being sent to the sin-bin during the round 11 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The Canterbury Bulldogs club and Cronulla veteran Josh Dugan have both been slapped with five-figure fines after failing to comply with the NRL’s biosecurity rules.

The NRL has whacked the Bulldogs with a proposed $50,000 fine in a breach notice that alleges the Belmore club failed “to take all reasonable measures” to ensure players complied with upgraded Covid restrictions.

It comes after Bulldogs players Dylan Napa, Brandon Wakeham, Corey Waddell, Sione Katoa and Aaron Schoupp attended two pubs in Sydney’s east on June 20, three days after the NRL had prohibited players from attending restaurants, pubs or bars in the Waverley or Randwick Local Government Areas.

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The breach notice alleges Canterbury failed to immediately notify the playing group and football staff of additional protocols the governing body placed on Sydney teams on June 17.

The club also did not effectively communicate the obligations on players and staff under the restrictions at the time.

The Bulldogs will conduct an internal review after the failings alleged by the NRL.

Aaron Schoupp, Dylan Napa and Brandon Wakeham were among the players caught.

“We are disappointed at the sanctions handed down … and will respond to the sanctions within the five-day period,” a club statement said.

Napa, Wakeham, Waddell, Katoa and Schoupp were also issued individual breach notices with a total of $9750 in suggested fines. Napa’s breach notice carried a $5,000 fine.

The players also have five working days to respond.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said Canterbury’s failure to explain the protocols left players “confused” and this has been taken into account when issuing proposed sanctions.

“In this instance we believe the Bulldogs failed to ensure the upgraded protocols were clearly explained to their players,” Abdo said.

Andrew Abdo has handed down stiff Covid punishments. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“This sanction sends a clear message to every club that you must do everything possible to ensure players understand the protocols.

“The players also have an obligation to seek further information if they are unsure of the upgraded biosecurity advice.

“Given the breach took place several days after the upgraded protocols had been communicated, we believe a sanction upon the players is also appropriate. In issuing the sanctions, we have taken into account that the players had a degree of confusion about the protocols.”

Dugan is facing a $25,000 fine after the veteran centre was spotted at a restaurant over the weekend. Unlike the five Canterbury players, Dugan was fully aware of his obligations under level 3+ restrictions.

Josh Dugan is facing a $25,000 fine.

Dugan was shown in a photo on social media with three friends at Fratelli Paradiso restaurant in Potts Point which alerted the Sharks to the 30-year old’s breach.

None of the players have violated NSW Health orders.

All five Canterbury players, who returned negative Covid tests, are in 14-day isolation as close contacts to a positive case and will miss Saturday’s clash against Manly.

Cowboys allowed to train after scare

— Travis Meyn

The Cowboys have been given permission to resume training following a Covid drama.

Preparations for North Queensland’s clash with Newcastle were thrown into turmoil on Wednesday, after coach Todd Payten was deemed to be in close contact with a confirmed Covid case at the Townsville Markets on Sunday.

Cowboys players Tom Gilbert and Griffin Neame were also ordered into isolation after attending Magnetic Island over the weekend, where the Covid positive woman also travelled.

The NRL on Thursday announced that the Cowboys squad members and staff placed into isolation had tested negative to Covid-19, allowing the club to resume training ahead of Saturday’s match.

Payten has been placed into a mandatory 14-day isolation due to the NRL’s biosecurity protocols, with assistant Dean Young stepping in as interim head coach.

Assistant coach Dean Young will step in as interim head coach while Payten is in isolation.

The North Queensland Cowboys have been forced to cancel training. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Payten attended Cowboys training on Monday and mixed with players, prompting the cancellation of Wednesday’s session.

“Todd will need to remain in isolation for 14 days, backdated to Sunday,” Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel said.

“We’re still waiting for Todd’s test results to come back and he will have to have multiple tests.

“The weekend’s game is subject to all the negative tests coming back. It’s not in jeopardy.

“We will catch a charter flight to Saturday’s game in Newcastle.”

Cowboys coach Todd Payten has been placed in 14-day isolation. Picture: Shae Beplate

The Cowboys cancelled training on Wednesday morning after it was discovered Payten had attended the markets.

Reibel said no Cowboys players or staff broke any of the NRL or government’s Covid restrictions.

“I would like to make very clear, no North Queensland Toyota Cowboys player or staff member breached any Queensland Health order or NRL Apollo protocol,” he said.

“To the contrary it has been the diligence shown by our staff and players and the NRL which has allowed us to reach this outcome today.

“We have abided by all Queensland Health Orders and Apollo protocol from the NRL.”

Cowboys cancel training due to Covid scare

The NRL is in the midst of a Covid scare after three North Queensland Cowboys players and staff were ordered to isolate after attending potential infection areas in Townsville.

The Cowboys cancelled training on Wednesday morning after one member of the club’s Apollo Register was deemed to be in close contact with a confirmed Covid case at the Townsville Markets on Sunday.

Two others at the club also travelled to Magnetic Island on Saturday, where the Covid positive case spent time over the weekend.

Townsville and south east Queensland are currently in a three-day lockdown following a Covid outbreak.

The three Cowboys members have been tested and are in isolation awaiting results.

The Cowboys are due to play Newcastle on Saturday and even if negative Covid tests are returned they could be forced to sideline players due to incubation periods.

“The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have cancelled training today after a member of the club’s Apollo Register was deemed to have come in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case at the Townsville Markets on Sunday,” the Cowboys said in a statement.

“The Cowboys Apollo Register member underwent a COVID-19 test yesterday and is currently in isolation awaiting results.

“Two other Cowboys Apollo Register members have also undergone testing and are in isolation after travelling to Magnetic Island on Saturday.

“None of the three Apollo Register members breached any protocol as the Cowboys were under Level One restrictions at the time.

“In accordance with QLD Health guidelines and after consultation with the NRL, the remainder of the Cowboys Apollo register have been sent home to isolate until test results return.”

Dugan sorry for Covid mistake

— Dave Riccio and Phil Rothfield

Sharks veteran Josh Dugan has apologised for breaking the NRL’s strict biosecurity protocols.

The veteran centre was spotted with friends at a restaurant over the weekend after all NRL players had been ordered into stage three lockdown to stay out of hotels, clubs and pubs.

Players could only leave home for essential household reasons.

A social media photo shows Dugan and three friends were at Fratelli Paradiso restaurant in Potts Point which alerted the Sharks to the problem.

A social media photo showed Josh Dugan with three friends at Fratelli Paradiso restaurant in Potts Point.

The Sharks are furious about the situation and have reported the incident to the NRL integrity unit.

Dugan has stepped forward and apologised after becoming the latest NRL player to breach the code’s strict Covid-19 bubble rules.

“I just want to say I’m sorry, it was an error in judgement,’’ Dugan told News Corp.

“It’s been a difficult period for me personally and I’m putting my hand up on this one.

“I’ve had all the necessary testing done for Covid and I’ve come back negative.

“I’ll isolate and do everything that is asked of me.”

Dugan is off contract at the end of the season and was relegated three weeks ago to play for feeder club, the Newtown Jets.

NRL players are now under the strictest lockdown restraints to ensure the competition can continue.