Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs salary cap breach
Encyclopedia
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs salary cap breach was the breach of the National Rugby League
's strictly-enforced salary cap
by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs committed during the National Rugby League's 2002 season. The discovery of these breaches resulted in then-unprecedented penalties being inflicted upon the Sydney-based club, none more so than the 37 competition points gained from the 2002 season docked from them and the demotion of the club from first to last place
with three rounds remaining in the season. In addition to those penalties, the club was fined a then-record $500,000.
, Luke Patten
, Brett Howland
and Darrell Trindall
. The Bulldogs finished the Minor Premiership in second position but crashed out of the Finals. The Dally M Rookie of the Year that season was Braith Anasta
. Mark O'Meley
was signed up for the 2002 season as the club said farewell to captain Darren Britt
and his deputy Craig Polla-Mounter
. With both of those gone, Steve Folkes
opted for Steve Price as captain ahead of the more experienced Darren Smith.
. NRL Chief Executive David Gallop
described the violation as "exceptional in both its size and its deliberate and ongoing nature". The club received a $500,000 fine, and was stripped of all 37 competition points. The latter action was particularly harmful, as the club were poised to take the Minor Premiership and had won 17 consecutive matches (the second highest in Australian club rugby league history at the time). Fans of the club had gone from the joy of a last-minute win over Newcastle
just two weeks prior to the pain, anguish and realisation that the club would not be participating in the 2002 finals.
The stripping of the Bulldogs' points also enabled the Canberra Raiders
to make the finals with a points differential of -170, the poorest such record of any finalist in the competition's history. As well as this, the Raiders only won one game outside of Canberra for the entire season. It also enabled the New Zealand Warriors to secure their very first minor premiership in the club's history.
Club legend Steve Mortimer
was brought in to save the Club, and the Bulldogs then finished one game short of the Grand Final in 2003.
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
's strictly-enforced salary cap
Salary cap
In professional sports, a salary cap is a cartel agreement between teams that places a limit on the amount of money that can be spent on player salaries. The limit exists as a per-player limit or a total limit for the team's roster, or both...
by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs committed during the National Rugby League's 2002 season. The discovery of these breaches resulted in then-unprecedented penalties being inflicted upon the Sydney-based club, none more so than the 37 competition points gained from the 2002 season docked from them and the demotion of the club from first to last place
Wooden spoon (award)
A wooden spoon is a mock or real award, usually given to an individual or team which has come last in a competition, but sometimes also to runners-up. Examples range from the academic to sporting and more frivolous events...
with three rounds remaining in the season. In addition to those penalties, the club was fined a then-record $500,000.
Background
The Bulldogs fallout from a disappointing 2000 season saw a "new breed" of players coming through for 2001. The Bulldogs' outfit aged badly in 2000 with many players past their best and a massive cleanout happened with several new players on the way including Nigel VaganaNigel Vagana
Nigel Vagana is a retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand and Samoa international representative centre, he retired as the Kiwis' all-time top try-scorer with 19...
, Luke Patten
Luke Patten
Luke Patten is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Salford city reds in the super league competition. An New South Wales Country Origin representative fullback he previously played for the Illawarra Steelers and the St George Illawarra Dragons...
, Brett Howland
Brett Howland
Brett Howland is an Australian rugby league player for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla Sharks but was forced out due to the salary cap...
and Darrell Trindall
Darrell Trindall
Darrell Trindall is an Australian former rugby league footballer. He played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Canterbury Bulldogs, Sheffield Eagles and St Helens as a half-back, five-eighth and full-back....
. The Bulldogs finished the Minor Premiership in second position but crashed out of the Finals. The Dally M Rookie of the Year that season was Braith Anasta
Braith Anasta
Braith Anasta is a Greek-Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League...
. Mark O'Meley
Mark O'Meley
Mark O'Meley is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the European Super League team, Hull, and previously of the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League competition. He also previously played for the North Sydney Bears, the ill fated Northern Eagles and the Bulldogs...
was signed up for the 2002 season as the club said farewell to captain Darren Britt
Darren Britt
Darren Britt is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for the Western Suburbs Magpies and the Canterbury Bulldogs in the National Rugby League competition....
and his deputy Craig Polla-Mounter
Craig Polla-Mounter
Craig Polla-Mounter is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer for the Bulldogs. He primarily played at halfback. Polla-Mounter participated in Canterbury's 1994, 1995 and 1998 Grand Finals, winning in 1995....
. With both of those gone, Steve Folkes
Steve Folkes
Steve Folkes is a former Australian rugby league test footballer and former coach of the Bulldogs in the National Rugby League...
opted for Steve Price as captain ahead of the more experienced Darren Smith.
Investigation
In mid-2002, the Bulldogs were found guilty of serious and systemic breaches of the salary capSalary cap
In professional sports, a salary cap is a cartel agreement between teams that places a limit on the amount of money that can be spent on player salaries. The limit exists as a per-player limit or a total limit for the team's roster, or both...
. NRL Chief Executive David Gallop
David Gallop
David Gallop is an Australian sports administrator who has been the Chief Executive Officer of the National Rugby League since February 2002. He has also been the Secretary of the Rugby League International Federation since its inception in 1998.-Early life:...
described the violation as "exceptional in both its size and its deliberate and ongoing nature". The club received a $500,000 fine, and was stripped of all 37 competition points. The latter action was particularly harmful, as the club were poised to take the Minor Premiership and had won 17 consecutive matches (the second highest in Australian club rugby league history at the time). Fans of the club had gone from the joy of a last-minute win over Newcastle
Newcastle Knights
The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
just two weeks prior to the pain, anguish and realisation that the club would not be participating in the 2002 finals.
The stripping of the Bulldogs' points also enabled the Canberra Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
to make the finals with a points differential of -170, the poorest such record of any finalist in the competition's history. As well as this, the Raiders only won one game outside of Canberra for the entire season. It also enabled the New Zealand Warriors to secure their very first minor premiership in the club's history.
Aftermath
An extensive NRL investigation resulted in two senior club officials being charged with fraud, theft and forgery by the NSW Police; both pleaded guilty and were jailed.Club legend Steve Mortimer
Steve Mortimer
Steve Mortimer OAM, , nicknamed Turvey after Turvey Park in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, where he hailed from, is an Australian former rugby league halfback. Mortimer played a Canterbury-Bankstown club record 272 first grade games between 1976–88. Mortimer's two younger brothers Peter and Chris...
was brought in to save the Club, and the Bulldogs then finished one game short of the Grand Final in 2003.
See also
- 2002 NRL season
- History of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
- Melbourne Storm salary cap breachMelbourne Storm salary cap breachThe Melbourne Storm salary cap breach was a major breach of the National Rugby League's strictly enforced salary cap by the Melbourne Storm club over a period of five years...