Jackson Topine, a former player for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, has reportedly ended his significant legal action against the club. Topine had claimed he was forced to wrestle up to 35 teammates as punishment for being late to training, an incident he alleged led to physical and psychological harm, preventing him from playing professionally. This move follows extensive legal proceedings where Topine sought $4 million in damages.
Background of the Legal Action
The core of the dispute centers on an alleged disciplinary event on July 18, 2023. At 22 years old, Jackson Topine was reportedly instructed to engage in a series of wrestling matches with his teammates, described in his legal claim as a punishment for tardiness to a training session.
Topine alleged this ordeal resulted in "ongoing incapacity to play," humiliation, fear, and psychiatric injury.
He has not participated in professional rugby league since the incident.
His legal claim detailed the punishment as being forced to wrestle "up to 35 team-mates in quick succession."
The club, however, stated the event lasted six minutes and was a "kind of disciplinary responses that is common among NRL clubs."
Topine's lawsuit named head trainer Travis Touma as the orchestrator of this disciplinary action, alleging it amounted to "assault and battery" and caused "physical and mental impairment."
Shifting Circumstances in the Lawsuit
As the legal battle progressed, several details emerged that appeared to influence the case's trajectory.
Agent's Outreach: Weeks before filing the $4 million lawsuit, Topine's agent reportedly contacted all 17 other NRL clubs, offering his client's services. This action has been framed as casting doubt on the severity of Topine's alleged inability to play.
Teammate Support: Some of Topine's former Bulldogs teammates reportedly indicated a willingness to support his legal fight, with one quoted as saying, "It wasn't wrestling, it was humiliation."
Court Proceedings: Court documents indicate that Topine was ordered to provide an outline of expected player evidence to the club. Discussions about setting a trial date in June and potentially issuing court orders for players to give evidence were also noted.
Resolution Discussions: Reports suggest Topine met with Bulldogs boss Adam Driussi in December to explore a resolution.
Recent Developments and Conclusion
The recent decision by Jackson Topine to drop his lawsuit marks a significant turning point. While the specific terms of this resolution are not fully detailed, it appears to end the formal legal challenge against the club.
Topine has dropped his $4 million lawsuit following talks with Adam Driussi.
The exact reasons for dropping the case are not publicly elaborated upon in the provided reports.
The club's stance that the disciplinary action was common practice among NRL clubs, and their assertion that it lasted only six minutes, remain part of the record.
The full implications of this withdrawal for Topine's playing future and the club's internal practices are yet to be fully understood.
Sources Used:
Daily Mail: Published on "23 minutes ago" (as of input time), reporting on Topine dropping the lawsuit and the initial claim details.
Daily Mail: Published on April 26, 2024, detailing a "startling new detail" casting doubt on the lawsuit and mentioning the agent's outreach.
Daily Mail: Published on March 12, 2025, discussing the potential for ex-Bulldogs players to be compelled to give evidence in the lawsuit.
Link: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nrl/article-14489067/Ex-Bulldogs-forced-appear-4m-lawsuit.html
(Note: Articles 4, 5, and 6 provided unrelated information about other NRL clubs and players and were not used in this report.)