By Adrian Proszenko and Adam Pengilly
Some of Jackson Topine’s former teammates are expected to lend their support to the forward in his $4 million legal action against Canterbury.
Topine claims he was subjected to “assault” when forced to wrestle up to 35 teammates during a training session on July 18, 2023.
In documents filed with the NSW Supreme Court, it is alleged the contract of the former Australian Schoolboy was illegally terminated. He has not played football since, with documents filed to the court claiming Topine was incapable of doing so.
Those close to Topine said he had a 10- to 12-year NRL career ahead of him. Given the average NRL salary exceeds $400,000 – and considering his status as a junior representative – they predict he could have earned more than that figure.
The Bulldogs said on Wednesday they intended to defend the claim.
“The board unanimously agreed that it would vigorously defend the club and its employee [trainer] Travis Touma against the claim lodged today by a former player,” chairman Adam Driussi said after a board meeting on Wednesday. “The club will be making no further comments at this time.”
Former Canterbury player Jackson Topine.Credit: NRL Photos
The watershed case, should it go all the way to a hearing, could result in some of the Bulldogs’ biggest names being called into the witness box.
Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity, given the matter is now before the courts, said some players who witnessed the incident were prepared to offer support to Topine.
That may come in the form of witness statements, and both sides are likely to call for some of those at the wrestling session to testify should the matter proceed to a full hearing.
In a statement of claim – which has been obtained by this masthead – Topine says Canterbury trainer Touma ordered him to wrestle a succession of teammates in short intervals, which left the young player “[requiring] assistance in performing limited physical functions, including, standing and walking”. The practice is commonly referred to in rugby league circles as “shark bait”.
It is also claimed Topine suffered “psychiatric injury” and “physical and mental impairment” as a result of “deprivation of liberty” and “unlawful corporal punishment”.
Court documents allege Touma told Topine’s teammates: “Don’t let him up if he’s down, jump on him straight away!”
The alleged punishment was said to be because he was between eight and 10 minutes late for the wrestling session, but Topine insists he was on time because he did not need to be strapped, and was there for the start of the actual conditioning.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson declined to comment on the legal action being taken against the Bulldogs, but spoke about the kind of trainer Touma was during his years with the Tricolours.
“Travis is a very experienced trainer and a really outstanding person, and his care factor is as high as I’ve seen in any staff member in any club I’ve been involved with,” Robinson said.
“I can’t speak to the incident, but I know who Travis is and the quality of the person that he is, and the care that he has for his players.”
According to club sources speaking on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to discuss the matter publicly, Touma was asked to front the Bulldogs board last year about the incident.
All directors walked away content with his explanation and no further action was taken.
The NRL issued a brief statement on Wednesday night.
“The NRL reached out to the player offering both wellbeing support and an opportunity to speak with the integrity unit,” an NRL spokesperson said. “So far, that opportunity has been declined but remains available. The NRL will await the outcome of any relevant legal proceedings.”
“The nature of the directives or instructions from the trainer are going to have to be fully explored,” prominent sports lawyer Tim Fuller said.
Former Roosters trainer Travis Touma.Credit: Channel Nine
“There will be an element of workplace bullying, harassment or coercion to those instructions [for the case to succeed]. If it’s found they are just normal instructions in the course of an intense training session, then the claim is likely to fail.
“As a caveat, one significant issue still to be explored is the fact Jackson Topine returned to training momentarily.”
The Bulldogs have kept the NRL abreast of the Topine issue since it surfaced last year, with all media outlets refraining from naming the 22-year-old due to concerns about his mental health.
However, he was publicly identified as the player at the centre of the alleged training incident after documents were filed in court on Wednesday.
“These guys are not yesterday’s athletes,” said one player manager, who requested anonymity to discuss the matter freely.
“Pound for pound, they are among the strongest in the world – and to think he had to wrestle 30 of them.”
The Rugby League Players’ Association has lent support to Topine, but stressed it wasn’t party to the civil proceedings.
“If there are alleged breaches of the CBA and NRL rules, we would expect those to be investigated by the NRL in accordance with the CBA and NRL rules,” a union spokesperson said.
“To the best of our knowledge, there has been no formal investigation by the NRL into Jackson’s issue.
“We always prioritise that clubs are safe and supportive workplaces for players and that protecting their welfare is paramount. The CBA, as a collective agreement, enforces those industry-specific rights and remunerations for players.
“NRL and NRLW players, though, as employees, still have individual rights under Australian law that sit outside the CBA, and there are legal avenues players can follow if they believe those rights have been denied.”
Canterbury are yet to file a defence.
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