Former Canterbury club captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner has spoken out about his tumultuous departure from the Bulldogs after a rocky 2023 season. This period was marked by conflicts with Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo, particularly concerning the club’s training methods. One notable incident involved Faitala-Mariner defending Jackson Topine after a training punishment, which led Topine to sue the club for damages. Despite this, Faitala-Mariner admitted that he hasn’t communicated with Topine since Christmas.
Reflecting on his time with the Bulldogs, Faitala-Mariner acknowledges that he might have managed some situations differently in his leadership role. Nonetheless, he expressed satisfaction with how events unfolded, as he now feels rejuvenated in his new position at the Dragons. This fresh start seems to have reinvigorated the robust forward, allowing him to move on from the contentious period at Canterbury and focus on his career with a new team.
