Marcelo Montoya was fined A$10,000 by Canterbury Bulldogs after Monday's antics.GETTY IMAGES
National Rugby League side Canterbury Bulldogs was hit with a record A$250,000 ($180,000) fine for its Mad Monday celebrations after NRL CEO Todd Greenberg "sought to draw a line in the sand over player misbehaviour," according to the AAP. The club has five days to respond and could have its fine reduced. It is the "biggest fine the NRL has ever handed down for behavioural issues." Greenberg, a former CEO of the Bulldogs, said, "The club organized the event and failed to implement the most basic of measures to ensure it was conducted in an appropriate way. ... The players' behavior embarrassed themselves, their club and the game" (AAP, 9/6). The AAP's Steve Zemek reported players Adam Elliott, 23, and Asipeli Fine, 25, were both fined A$25,000 ($18,000) by the club, with A$10,000 ($7,200) suspended. NSW Police confirmed that "two men aged 23 and 25 have been issued with court attendance notices for wilful and obscene exposure." Marcelo Montoya -- who was "pictured having thrown up and passed out on the street" -- and Zac Woolford were also fined A$10,000 by the club, "half of which was suspended." Police said that a third man has been issued with "an infringement notice for offensive conduct." Staff members including coach Dean Pay and football manager Gareth Holmes, who were present, "will come under scrutiny as part of a club investigation" (AAP, 9/6). In Sydney, Adrian Proszenko reported asked if the Bulldogs "just experienced their last Mad Monday," Canterbury CEO Andrew Hill said, "We will review our processes. It's fair to say it's highly unlikely that postseason celebrations such as what occurred on Monday will happen again" (SMH, 9/6).
