NRL 2024: Canterbury Bulldogs club captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner told to stay away from training

The Bulldogs’ return to pre-season training is shrouded in controversy with former club captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner warned off turning up to Belmore. READ THE LATEST.

Raymond Faitala-Mariner has been told not to attend pre-season training. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Canterbury’s relationship with Raymond Faitala-Mariner is at breaking point after the club captain was told to stay away from training when the club returns for pre-season.

The first batch of Bulldogs players are due to convene at their Belmore headquarters on Friday but Faitala-Mariner won’t be among them in a pointer towards his imminent departure.

Sources close to the club confirmed Faitala-Mariner had been told to stay away, having fallen out of favour earlier this season and subsequently given permission to find another club.

The former Bulldogs club captain has two seasons remaining on a lucrative contract that is due to pay him in the vicinity of $400,000 a season.

Raymond Faitala-Mariner.

General Manager Phil Gould. Picture: Julian Andrews

However, his time at the Bulldogs is fast coming to an end. The 30-year-old made 14 appearances for the club in 2023, having been appointed club skipper before the season began.

It is understood the relationship between Faitala-Mariner and the club became strained after he raised concerns over training on behalf of some of his teammates.

He played his last game for the club in round 21 against Penrith but was unsighted thereafter, The Bulldogs have been on a spending spree of late - they confirmed the signings of veteran Drew Hutchison, utility Kurt Mann, hooker Jake Turpin and forward Poasa Faamausili last week.

That came after they landed New Zealand Warriors forward Josh Curran, who was released from the final year of his deal to join the Bulldogs.

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