The Sydney Morning Herald’s chief sports writer Andrew Webster has questioned the Bulldogs’ training methods following suggestions of a disconnect between players and coaches.
Rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo has defended his approach towards training after it was revealed a player was forced to wrestle over 20 players as punishment for arriving to training late. The player, who remains unidentified, has walked away from the club and is reportedly considering legal action.
Webster revealed the player has a history of mental health struggles and believes the Bulldogs have failed to adequately recognise the potential to cause harm.
“This is the answer that Canterbury still hasn't answered and I think it’s really important,” Webster said on SEN 1170.
“The NRL should get their nose into this and see what has happened.
“It’s clear that the player was late for training and should’ve been there half an hour earlier.
“He was subjected to a wrestling drill against the whole team (and) was gassed by the end of it.
“If the Bulldogs knew that this player had a history of mental health issues and still subjected him to that sort of punitive action for turning up late, there are some major questions for the Bulldogs to answer.
“If you’re going to tick the box of being mental health advocates like the NRL does, they need to get their hands all over this.”
SEN’s Matty Johns believes the reported punishment toed the line between setting high standards and workplace bullying.
“There is a fine line between punishment and humiliation,” Johns said on SEN 1170.
“Some of the stuff I’ve seen players do as ‘so-called’ punishments (is ridiculous).
“Is it punishment or are you just trying to embarrass the bloke?
“If you’re going to do a punishment, the player has to take something out of it.
“There has to be a better balance.”