NRL suspends half of Canterbury Bulldogs fine for Mad Monday debacle
AFTER the NRL halved Canterbury’s $250,000 fine for their off-the-rails Mad Monday celebrations, Bulldogs coach Dean Pay has claimed the dramas were “not what we stand for” as a club.
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DESPITE being present when his players misbehaved in public on Mad Monday, Bulldogs coach Dean Pay has claimed the dramas were “not what we stand for” as a club.
On Tuesday, the NRL confirmed its $250,000 fine for the end-of-season celebrations but suspended $125,000 after reviewing a detailed submission from Canterbury officials.
Players were photographed by The Daily Telegraph naked, vomiting and placing their penises in drinking glasses at the Harbour View Hotel, The Rocks.
Pay attended the club-organised function but came forward to rebuke the club’s behaviour.
“There is no doubt that everyone at our club has learnt a great deal from the events of recent times,” Pay said in a club statement.
“When something like this happens you have to take stock and put in place structures to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.
“There is no doubt that the images from the day were a bad look for everyone involved and it means that we have to take responsibility for it and learn from it.
“We also need to remember that this is not representative of us as a club and what we stand for.”
The NRL claimed Canterbury had:
• Acknowledged the seriousness of the breach.
• Apologised for the damage their actions caused to the game.
• Guaranteed to implement measures preventing a repeat of such behaviour.
“Under those circumstances, the NRL will suspend half the original fine,” said an NRL spokesman.
“However the suspended part of the fine will be reimposed if there is any material breach of the code of conduct during the next two years.
“This incident should act as a reminder to all clubs and club officials that it is imperative to take extra precautions when organising club-sanctioned events.”
Canterbury chair Lynne Anderson conceded the day out was a “poor look” for the club.
“We acknowledge that some of the behaviours on the day were a poor look for the club and the game and we have reviewed everything that took place to make sure that we learn from it,” she said.
“What we also need to remember here, however, is that good people will sometimes make mistakes and that should not take away from the fact that these same people have done a great deal in the community on behalf of the club and will continue to do so.
“They are part of our family at the club and we will always support them through any difficult times.”
Canterbury players Asipeli Fine and Adam Elliott were issued court notices for wilful and obscene exposure.
Their court date is set down for October 24.
“Having worked closely with the NRL in regards to our response to the recent breach notice that was handed down we feel that as a club we have acted swiftly and decisively to both review the events of the day and to put in place improved procedures to make sure that this does not happen again,” said Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill.
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