In his first answer to a former player’s legal action, Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo declared that the NRL was “not for everyone” but maintained that the Bulldogs care less about welfare than other teams.
Ciraldo was convinced that Jackson Topine’s legal case, which sprang from allegations that he was forced to wrestle up to 35 players during a heated training session, would not be a distraction this season.
He also lauded trainer Travis Touma, who is at the center of the claims, and stated that he was pleased with how players were handled and the club’s culture.
“I think we do as much, if not more, than any other club with a number of people that care about the welfare of our players,” he added.
“We do a lot of stuff around cultural events to better understand one other’s cultures, and I’m extremely pleased with where we’re going.
“It’s a unique workplace that isn’t for everyone.
“It’s a tough setting, a tough game, and it’s unique. It is difficult to do, because if it were easy, everyone would do it.”
Topine, who is no longer with the Bulldogs, claims he was forced to wrestle the rest of the squad after being late to a training session last year, a penalty he calls “assault”.
Ciraldo was unable to comment on the case because it is an ongoing legal situation, but he believes it will not derail the squad as they enter round 9 in the top eight.
“I’ll probably just read the room and see how the boys are, but I’m very confident it won’t be a distraction,” he went on to say.
“I haven’t had to address it.” Nobody has asked me about it.”
Touma’s alleged activities are at the heart of the dispute, but his character has been vigorously defended by Roosters coach Trent Robinson and five-eighth Luke Keary, both of whom spoke about how essential he was throughout their premiership campaigns before joining the Bulldogs.
That sentiment was shared on Tuesday morning at the club’s headquarters in Belmore.
“It’s unfortunate that his name has been brought into it through media, but it is what it is,” he remarked.
“Reputations are beyond our control, but we can control our characters. Trav has the best moral character I’ve ever encountered.
“He cares about the people he works with, he’s a family man, he leads a clean lifestyle, and he’s a guy we’re extremely fortunate to have at the club. Our players are extremely lucky to have him.
“I believe a number of guys have stated that about Trav over the years.
“He has helped develop better players and people, which is why we wanted to bring him to the Bulldogs.” He suits what we’re attempting to do here. It’s difficult to bring about change in a club, and Trav has been a great assistance to me.
“I know that every decision he’s made has been in the best interests of the club, and that’s something we want to do here – we want to put the club first before ourselves.”
Bulldogs halfback Drew Hutchison was also at the Roosters while Touma was there, and he spoke about how the trainer has been able to get the most out of players using his own methods.
“There’s no denying that he expects absolute perfection from all of his players. That’s the environment people want to be in, and it’s the one that fosters success,” he remarked.
“I know Travis personally, and he has nothing but concern and regard for everyone in the organisation.
“When I had him at the Roosters, the way the older blokes spoke about him and the care that they had for him and he had for them, it’s something that’s always stuck with me.”
