Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill has responded to news that his club could be fined $250,000 as part of a breach notice for their controversial Mad Monday activities.
Hill told media at the club’s headquarters that the images depicted “unacceptable” behaviour and, while the club was “disappointed with the severity of the fine”, they would accept the NRL’s hefty sanctions.
He promised the club would conduct a “full review” into what took place on the now infamous Monday celebration, while also announcing club-issued fines for Adam Elliot, Asipeli Fine and Marcelo Montoya.
Elliot and Fine were each fined $25,000 – $10,000 of which is suspended – while Montoya received a $10,000 sanction – $5,000 of which is suspended.
Hill did stress, however, that the players were good people who had acted “immaturely and irresponsibly”.
Original story follows
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has today announced the Bulldogs have officially been issued with a breach notice for their widely-publicised Mad Monday misbehaviour, with a fine of $250,000 proposed as penalty for their misdeeds.
Citing the fact three players were under police investigation following the events, a press release issued by the league claims Greenberg felt the build-up to the finals had been “badly damaged by the failure of the Bulldogs to properly manage the event.”
Aggravating circumstances included the fact the event took place in an area viewable by the general public, as well as the fact that the club itself scheduled the event and had senior officials present.
“The club organised the event and failed to implement the most basic of measures to ensure it was conducted in an appropriate way,” Greenberg said.
“The club’s failure to manage the event followed specific directives to all clubs to ensure these type of events do not damage our game.
“The players’ behaviour embarrassed themselves, their club and the game on the eve of the Finals Series,” he added.
While Greenberg said he felt the penalty was reflective of the damage the incident has caused the game, the Bulldogs will have five days to respond before the heaviness of the fine is determined.
Additionally, any club penalties the Bulldogs choose to impose on their own players or officials would be “taken into consideration” before the fine is issued.
“The actions of some players and officials was inexcusable and we are determined to send a message that it will not be tolerated on this occasion – or in the future,” Greenberg said.
“There has been a real improvement in player behaviour this year – and we should all acknowledge that.
“But to have this kind of incident on the eve of our finals is more than disappointing and there has to be a deterrent to ensure we have no repeat of this behaviour.”
Big Daddy
Guest
As I said on another thread. It's for Graham annesly's salary.
kk
Roar Pro
Gary Johnston has just withdrawn Jaycar's $500,000 sponsorship. effective immediately.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
I think they were fined $250K for stupidity - they must know after previous seasons they are under a spotlight on Mad Monday. The clubs were warned again yet there were club officials there. How stupid can you get? The NRL will quietly lower the fine if they undertake training, community service or some other cover. Any takers?
Hoy
Roar Guru
Good point. Huge point. Merrin's stunt was pretty funny... had no one taken a picture of the Dogs, no one would have known... It comes down to the News creating news.
steveng
Roar Rookie
I'm not trying to condone this sort of behaviour, yes this was wrong and it goes on in every teams end of the year but, the medias scandalous way to get a story is just not acceptable! Its wrong for the media to go around with their telephoto lenses and hide like cowards to get a story, this thing wasn't visible to the public (like the media tries to make out that it was) and justify itself, give it a break!
BigAl
Guest
Rugby League thrives on dis-repute. It is it's life blood !
1daywe’llwinit
Guest
Whose parent or grandparent is going to clean the puke and mess?
Papa Joe
Roar Rookie
This outrage from the DT is hypocritical. Not too long ago, a senior DT journalist drove on the wrong side of the road while under the influence and also disobeyed the direction of police - and this was kept very quiet by the DT. And then the NRL reactively respond to this faux outrage by the DT (which is just trying to sell their crummy newspapers) by imposing a $250k fine - what a farce!!! Who is really outraged by the Dogs' behaviour ?? Ok, it was juvenile, but from the reports I have read it was harmless and in private, and IMO a very small minority of people would be that outraged by the behavior. My view is that this whole episode reflects worse on the NRL and Greenberg than on the Dogs.
Mitcher
Guest
I’d have thought ‘old school’ would more accurately refer to the Doggies’ effort times about 500, and nobody knowing or caring what they’d done.
The Barry
Roar Guru
This will blow your mind Brian... Earlier in the week Trent Merrin stripped naked and hijacked a photo shoot with a nudie run deliberately in front of the cameras while there was a promotional video shoot. Fox, the NRL and the Panthers have all been sharing it on social media and having a good old laugh. Adam Elliott did it at a private function which was photographed and published without his permission and the Bulldogs get fined 250K. Now I know you lean towards the stalky side of things, but really what’s the difference?
The Barry
Roar Guru
At least your emoji worked...
gurudoright
Roar Rookie
Yep, the new layout is kak
Matt P
Roar Rookie
Paragraphs work, they're just delayed for some reason.
Eden
Roar Rookie
Hmmm new layout means I can’t make paragraphs and I can’t edit my post? :(
Eden
Roar Rookie
The media and the police are not doing their core societal role here. The public are not being represented by the DT who have feigned outrage in such a way that is completely hypocritical when you consider how they typically react to outrage from a minority group. The police charging these players is a joke as well. No one in the public wants these players reprimanded in such a way. The only mistake here is the Dogs failed to keep it all behind closed doors. I’d love to see what would happen if the Dogs had stood up to all this. Call BS on the outrage and ride the support from the community.
gurudoright
Roar Rookie
Train all year, be the best team over 24 rounds, earn your club $100,000. Go out on the piss and don’t hurt anyone, cost your club $250,000. The NRL and Greenberg need to get over this faux outrage and grow a set.
The Barry
Roar Guru
What a surprise Brian the stalker hasn’t got anything to say about the issue...just me. I am surprised you’ve got nothing to say about my wife and kids today grub... Yet again you’re proving how thick you are...my comment didn’t condone what the Bulldogs did and not one comment I’ve made has.
Brian George
Guest
auNow there's a surprise thebarry condoning anything the dogs do. #whatajoke
GWSINGAPORE
Guest
When the NRL fines a club where does the money go? Into consolidated revenue to be subsequently redistributed back to the clubs? In a hollow log?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Police have also charged two bulldogs players.