Bulldogs football manager Phil Gould wants to quickly deal with Adam Elliott’s latest off-field indiscretion after he was stood down over an incident in a Gold Coast restaurant.
Canterbury today stood down Elliot for the club’s remaining two games of the season after it was revealed the NRL Integrity Unit was investigating his behaviour at a restaurant.
It is understood Elliott, whilst in the company of NRLW player Millie Boyle, was asked to leave the establishment.
The issue on Gold Coast comes just months after the Bulldogs back-rower sought professional help for an alcohol problem following a string of off-field issues.
Gould, who recently became Canterbury’s new general manager of football, revealed Elliott had touched alcohol for the first time in seven months when the incident occurred.
“That’s yet to be determined,” Gould told Nine’s 100% Footy when asked what Elliott’s future looks like.
“He was interviewed by the NRL Integrity Unit this afternoon and I’ve spoken to them this evening, collating a report for the Bulldogs’ board. Beyond that, I can’t talk too much.
“Adam has been very honest in his role and what took place and he’s been quite remorseful.
“Adam as we know has been getting alcohol counselling for the past seven months, he hasn’t had a drink for seven months.
“He decided to drink some alcohol yesterday and he’s wound up in this position.
“He was asked to leave a premises, which he complied, and we’ve spoken to the premises and they’ve said he was no problem. He complied straight away as soon as he was asked to leave.
“What led up to that will be revealed in the next few days… but we will move quickly and try to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.”
Gould revealed he spoke to Elliott about his troubled past and how media would bring it up when discussing the course of action to be taken against him
“As I explained to Adam today, incidents like this allow the media to bring up the past and that can be hurtful to other people at that time as well,” Gould added.
“There have been a number of incidents in the last 12 or 18 months, obviously looking from the outside in… I now have access to greater information and it allows them (media) to regurgitate all that stuff which exacerbates this situation here.
“It’s an incident where the players yesterday afternoon had a club function and went back to the hotel and had a function with the players’ wives and families, and everyone at eight o’clock was told to go to bed, they did.
“A few of the girlfriends went out and then the partners went out to have a drink with them to come back, and a few of the single blokes decided to tag along as well and that’s where they’ve put themselves in this environment.
“Grade five stupidity at the moment.”
Gould said he was confident that no COVID-19 breaches were made, with the club, along with the rest of the competition, currently in Queensland due to the state-wide lockdown affecting New South Wales.
“I don’t think they’ve breached any COVID rules, which the integrity unit is now looking at… but as I say, every time a player like Adam Elliott, who has a list of priors, puts himself out there to be criticised again,” he added.
“That affects the club, the brand, the sponsors, the fans and particularly when the club isn’t performing very well, it leaves a sour taste in everyone’s mouth that’s associated with the club. It has to be dealt with swiftly.”
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