NRL 2021: Adam Elliott, Canterbury Bulldogs part ways

Adam Elliott’s 101-game career with the Bulldogs is over and the triggers for the ‘mutual parting of ways’ between the back-rower and the club have been revealed.

The collapse in negotiations of a multi-million dollar sponsorship deal was a leading factor in the Bulldogs severing ties with Adam Elliott.

The sponsorship blow and angst from fans and members has emerged as the trigger for the Canterbury board to reach a “mutual parting of ways” with the forward, who had two years remaining on his $1 million contract.

Without a club, Elliott is banking on receiving a career lifeline from an NRL suitor after agreeing to depart the club on Friday.

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The embattled Canterbury back-rower had been summoned to front the Bulldogs board via Zoom last Monday after being found in a toilet with NRLW star Millie Boyle on the Gold Coast last month.

Elliott was escorted by security from the White Rhino Bar with Boyle adamant it was nothing more than “a kiss in the bathroom.’’

Adam Elliott is on the lookout for a new club after parting ways with the Bulldogs. Picture: NRL Photos

The Bulldogs hierarchy took into account a $10,000 fine from the NRL for allegedly bringing the game into disrepute and failing to comply with biosecurity protocols, transcripts of Elliott’s interview with the NRL Integrity Unit and a final plea from the 26-year-old before deciding to mutually part ways.

The Dogs were also forthcoming with a financial settlement for Elliott to depart the club - cognisant of his on-field contribution over 101-games and the fact that he had made an attempt to seek professional help for alcohol issues.

The settlement is understood to be around $100,000 — far less than the $1 million that he was set to earn over the next two seasons.

Canterbury, who are on a mission to rebuild both on and off the field after finishing last in 2021, had spent three months in negotiations with a leading Australian company and were edging towards securing the sponsorship deal in the days before Elliott’s toilet-tryst.

The company called an immediate stop to all dialogue when the forward’s drama thrust the club back into the dim view of the NRL.

Another company, an internationally established business, has also been in talks to sponsor Canterbury.

Adam Elliott played 101 games for the Bulldogs.

They pressed pause on all negotiations until Elliott’s future was resolved.

Canterbury management hope to recommence talks with the international company in coming days.

Fans and members had also contacted Canterbury management to vent their frustration at Elliott’s latest misdemeanour.

Elliott was previously reprimanded for his role in the club’s 2018 Mad Monday fiasco.

There was also an incident with the wife of ex-teammate Michael Lichaa earlier this year.

Elliott has indicated he had not consumed alcohol for seven months in between the two incidents.

He underwent minor ankle surgery last week and is hoping that an NRL club will give him a chance to re-ignite his career.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Adam Elliott, Canterbury Bulldogs part ways