Bulldogs Viliame Kikau photo leaker resigns before being sacked: Report
The Canterbury Bulldogs’ photo leak drama has ended with a club staffer’s resignation after two clubs were left furious.
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The staffer identified as leaking the Viliame Kikau photo has reportedly fallen on their sword after the club launched an investigation into the breach.
The storm kicked off after news the Panthers premiership hero was revealed to have signed a four-year $3.2 million deal at Belmore from 2023.
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Although Kikau has another year to run in Penrith, an image showing the Panthers forward wearing a Bulldogs shirt alongside Canterbury head of football Phil Gould and head coach Trent Barrett went viral on social media
The SMH reported last week the Bulldogs had no intention of making the photo with Kikau public and that the two clubs had reached an agreement to make the announcement about Kikau’s future after the premiership parade had been held.
The news came out before the parade and saw a small minority of fans boo the rampaging second rower. Teammate Jarome Luai also trolled Kikau on the bus.
But after reports the Bulldogs were getting legal advice about terminating the staff member who leaked the screenshot off the Canterbury Leagues Club security camera, The Daily Telegraph reported a senior staffer had jumped before they were pushed, handing in their resignation.
The report said the employee was a high-ranking club executive earning a salary of around $200,000. The report added that the club’s previous management gave some staff members access to the CCTV vision via a mobile phone app.
While Gould took to social media to apologise for the incident, he was reportedly fuming over the breach.
“I called @PenrithPanthers club today to apologise for the inappropriate leaking of images, taken from security cameras, at Canterbury Leagues,” Gould wrote. “It was not our doing, nor ever our intention, for such images to become public. Out of our control. Apologies to Panther players, fans.”
A report from The Daily Telegraph said Gould had been asked if he was “filthy”, which he replied: “Understatement …”
Kikau took to Instagram in an attempt to clear the air on the eve of the parade.
“Today photos were taken of me wearing another club’s colours,” Kikau wrote.
“Me and my manager were told the photos wouldn’t become public until the appropriate time.
“I am very disappointed that didn’t happen and regret the upset it has caused.
“I want the Panthers fans to know I remain fully committed to our club and the team for the upcoming season.
“I can’t wait to celebrate our premiership with you.”
But it was just the tip of the iceberg for Kikau as well according to Panthers coach Ivan Cleary.
“He wasn’t happy, I spoke to him last night and he was very angry about it to be honest, which is fair enough,” Cleary said at Saturday’s parade.
“At the end of the day it’s a bit of clickbait for everybody and everyone gets excited about that stuff.”
Despite the problems it’s caused, Telegraph journalist Dean Ritchie told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast it was “very sad”.
“A bloke has done the wrong thing. Whether he deserved to be sacked or stood down near Christmas, he’s got a family, it’s sad,” he said.
“But I can’t help but think, is he a scapegoat? Of all the people that did the wrong thing, the one bloke to get the bullet is an employee at Canterbury League club.”
But it’s also led to renewed criticism of the NRL’s November 1 deadline, where players can negotiate contracts over a year in advance of moving on.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys admitted it was a balancing act to get it right.
“We have to find the right balance without hindering a player’s earning capacity and capability,” V’landys said.
“You have to remember a player only has a finite career and they have to make the most of that career, but at the same time I totally understand the fans’ frustration. We need to get the right balance.
“At the moment it’s not the right balance, but I can understand both sides.”
Meanwhile, rugby league great Billy Moore spoke to AAP, trashing the current system.
“Anyone who looks into the fish bowl that is rugby league sees that contracts have become meaningless,” Moore told AAP.
“I’ve been vocal about this for a long time and the system is a disgrace.
“The biggest losers are the fans and sponsors and the only person who benefits from it is the player’s manager.”
Originally published as Bulldogs Viliame Kikau photo leaker resigns before being sacked: Report
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