A $4 million legal claim against the Canterbury Bulldogs, filed on behalf of Jackson Topine, asserts that the young back-rower is currently unable to play the sport. This comes less than three weeks following an email forwarded to all 17 National Rugby League (NRL) clubs by Topine’s agent, advertising the player as off-contract.
Topine began legal proceedings against the Bulldogs on Wednesday over an incident that occurred last year. He alleges he was disciplined by head trainer, Travis Touma, for tardiness at training. A punishment allegedly ensued which required him to wrestle between 30 to 35 teammates.
The events during the training session on July 18, last year, are referred to in Topine’s statement of claim as a “deprivation of liberty” and “unlawful corporal punishment”. Following the incident, it is asserted that Topine endured “psychiatric injury” and “physical and mental impairment”.
Documents lodged in the Supreme Court indicate that Topine has been perpetually incapable of playing since the incident. Despite these allegations, the Bulldogs cleared Touma of any transgressions. The club, Canterbury, and Touma have not yet issued defences in the case.
On April 8, Tyran Smith, Topine’s agent, sent an email to each NRL club enumerating his off-contract players, including Topine. There’s no implication that Topine’s legal representatives were aware of this email. The agent’s action preceded the lodging of the statement of claim by less than three weeks.
Smith informed League Initiative that Topine’s name was part of a list of available players that his agency’s computer system has generated. He stated, “This is a list which shows NRL players who were going off contract in 2024,” adding, “In Jackson’s case the uncertainty of his long-term prognosis has meant he has been taken off the list.”
In a part of the email now reviewed by League Initiative, was the following praise for Topine, “Jackson Topine is known for his exceptional work ethic and attitude towards growth and success.” And that “In his limited number of first-grade appearances, he has shown extremely high tackle efficiency.” Topine’s contribution to Maori All-Stars’ 10-10 draw in 2021 and his performance in the 2022 NSW Cup Grand Final were also mentioned.
The claim seeks to address the stoppage of payments made to Topine, asserting the termination of the former Australian Schoolboy’s contract was illegitimate. Insiders, who asked for anonymity, indicated that Topine’s receipt of remuneration lasted three months following his refusal to return to training.
It’s been stated that Topine submitted several medical certificates to validate his non-attendance but did not respond to the club officials, who eventually resolved to stop payment after his sick leave entitlements were used up. Before this, Topine’s agent was informed that the payments would stop in case Topine failed to fulfil his contractual obligations.
Those familiar with Topine foresaw a prosperous career in the NRL for him. Taking into account his nullification as a junior representative star and the above-average NRL salary of $400,000, they believe that he could have earned in excess of $4 million.
At the time of the incident, Topine was receiving an annual salary of approximately $125,000. The quarrelled training session took place at Gracie Jiu Jitsu in Smeaton Grange, southwest Sydney where he was allegedly compelled to wrestle around 30 to 35 teammates.
Sources claim that despite the incident, Topine attended the remainder of that week’s training session and didn’t voice any concerns regarding his treatment. Reports indicate that the incident happened in the exact week Topine was dropped from NRL due to defensive failures in a match against the Brisbane Broncos at Belmore.
While he was named to play for the Bulldogs against the Panthers after the loss, he was informed by Ciraldo that he was going to be the 18th player of the team instead. This was on the same day as the wrestling training. Topine hasn’t played in NRL since the incident.