NRL 2023: Sonny Bill Williams, Canterbury Bulldogs finally move on from controversial 2008 exit

Fifteen-years after Sonny Bill Williams’ controversial Belmore exit, Canterbury have finally moved on, formally welcoming the ex-Bulldog back to the club.

Fifteen years after their bitter split, Sonny Bill Williams and the Bulldogs have finally buried the hatchet.

The 15-year grudge is finally over.

Sonny Bill Williams and Canterbury are officially at peace.

Williams, the former Bulldogs star, was formally invited to Bulldogs training last Wednesday morning where he spoke passionately and honestly to the club’s entire playing group inside the Belmore Sports Ground’s theatrette.

It came three days after Williams sat with a friend inconspicuously in the Belmore grandstand – wearing a beanie - watching Canterbury’s trial game against Cronulla last Sunday.

The Sunday Telegraph has learned Canterbury greats Andrew Ryan and Willie Mason – now on the club’s coaching staff – urged their good mate Williams to speak to the team.

It is understood to be the first time Williams has formally returned to the club he famously walked out on back in 2008.

Williams’ appearance is another clear indication Canterbury is opening up to its past greats.

Fifteen years after their bitter split, Sonny Bill Williams and the Bulldogs have finally buried the hatchet.

The Sunday Telegraph texted Bulldog general manager of football, Phil Gould, asking whether Williams had appeared at training.

“He did,” Gould replied.

Gould did not respond to further texts seeking why Williams had been invited back.

One source close to the players said: “Sonny spoke and the boys were speechless. They were in awe of his story.

“He took them through everything in his career, his journey.

“Sonny Bill was also at the trial. He kept a low profile and word didn’t get around that he was there.”

It is not the first time Williams has been back in Belmore. Williams was also spotted last week having coffee in the area with former teammate Willie Tonga, while the pair were also recently snapped with Mason and Mark O’Meley in the club’s gym.

Among the club legends to return to assist this year include Ryan, Mason and James Graham.

Former Canterbury stars Andrew Ryan, Sonny Bill Williams, Willie Mason, Mark O'Meley, and Willie Tonga were recently together at the club's gym. Credit: Instagram.

Over time, the anger Canterbury fans held for Williams has thawed and diminished.

Back in 2008, Williams was hated at Belmore after he fled Australia - abandoning a five-year Bulldogs contract - to join French rugby union club, Toulon.

He was just nine months into his new deal.

In 2021, when discussing his autobiography, Williams said: “Although I was playing some great footy at the time when I took off, I was deeply, deeply unhappy off it.

“I wish that I had the mindset that I have now because it wouldn’t have gone down the way it went down. I would have been more confident to stand up and say ‘this is how I’m feeling, this is what needs to change.’

“I just felt like I needed to escape but what I found out was that when I ran, the man in the mirror, the problems I was facing, were staring straight back at me in the mirror in France.”

Williams eventually returned to the NRL and helped Sydney Roosters claim the 2013 premiership.