One time Australian forward Reni Maitua was yesterday sacked by the Bulldogs after missing Monday training with no explanation.
It’s believed the NRL has also blocked Maitua from linking with other clubs for the 2009 season – meaning that should Maitua wish to continue playing League, he would need to consider his options in England and France.
The other alternative is Union, with Maitua having a rah-rah background prior to playing in the NRL.
One of the few remaining from premiership-winning 2004 Bulldogs squad, Maitua has been no stranger to controversy over the years but the patience of the Bulldogs finally expired, when Maitua was a no-show for training on Monday.
Some sources allege that Maitua deliberately missed training, as he remains without desire to continue with the Bulldogs after trying to escape his contract several times.
Without any excuse for his absence on Monday, the former Kangaroo had to front the club’s disciplinary committee on Tuesday and was effectively booted from Belmore.
NRL boss David Gallop was quick to back the Bulldogs move and confirm Maitua wasn’t able to simply link up with another NRL club.
“If another club wanted to sign him we would be unlikely to register the contract for 2009 on the basis of the information that we have,” Gallop told the media.
“Where players are terminated for repeat behavioural issues we have to back the club or risk the inherent unfairness of the player walking into another team.
“The simple message is to stay out of trouble.”
Maitua now has only 2 days to appeal his sacking, but that could prove difficult after TV reports suggested Maitua had been out drinking on Sunday night in Cronulla.
The sacking could see the continued trend of troubled league stars such as Sonny Bill Williams, Tim Smith and Todd Carney plying their trade in Europe on the Union and Super League fields.
Maitua’s management haven’t released a statement at this stage.
Bulldogs chief executive Todd Greenberg was forced to face the media before a ball was kicked in 2009, sayings it was a dark day for the Dogs.
“This is by no means anything other than a disappointing day for (coach) Kevin (Moore) and I,” he said.
“He has put the club in a difficult position where recruitment is now complete and this is not a decision we have made lightly but one we had to make.”
The Bulldogs have worked hard to clean up their image in recent times, the club almost having a totally new look with Maitua now leaving. Only a single forward in Andrew Ryan remains from the premiership winning 2004 squad.
They locked in new boss Kevin Moore and made some impressive signings in Ben Hannant and Michael Ennis and ex-Sharks half-back Brett Kimmorley.
“It takes more then just being a good footballer to be a part of the Bulldogs,” Greenberg said.
The troubled Maitua has had his fair share of problems in the past, having missed training and lost his licence for drink driving.
He only a few months ago was banished to the lower grades at Belmore for poor discipline.
Greenberg said that Maitua was naturally “disappointed” to have his contract voided and believes hadn’t deliberately skipped training.