Bulldogs captain Raymond Faitala-Mariner left in the dark after Canterbury give permission to leave
Raymond Faitala-Mariner claims he’s been left in the dark, after Bulldogs officials confirmed he is free to leave the club, despite having another two years on his contract.
Canterbury’s Raymond Faitala-Mariner and his agent claim to be “disappointed, perplexed and in the dark” over the club’s decision allowing the Bulldogs club captain to explore other options.
Club officials have revealed Faitala-Mariner can immediately begin negotiating with rival clubs but, bizarrely, his manager, Ernie Santone, says he nor the player has been told of the decision.
Santone said he waited all Monday morning for Bulldogs officials to tell him that Faitala-Mariner could leave – but no one rang.
Faitala-Mariner’s exit would allow Canterbury to enter the looming November 1 player market frenzy with additional money to splash around.
Santone, from SP Sports Management, stressed Faitala-Mariner is under contract for the rest of this season plus 2024 and 2025, after signing an extension in July last year.
He remains club captain.
“I have spoken to Ray and he is in the dark just as much as I am at this stage,” Santone said.
“I have had no official contact from Canterbury to say he has permission to leave or talk to other clubs so l am disappointed with all the talk coming out of the club.
“From my point of view, we signed a new three-year contract 12 months ago.
“So this is all coming from the club because there’s no reason why we would be looking anywhere else, that’s for sure.
“The fact I haven’t been told, one way or the other if it’s true or not, or if there is a denial, I’m a little perplexed by.
“At this stage, there is no official communication that he is free to talk to other clubs and I am disappointed not to have heard from the club at this stage.
“I will say I’m highly disappointed to read that the club, if true, has regretted making Ray the club captain considering the turmoil (with season-ending injuries) he has been through at the club.
“To be honest with you, I have given Canterbury enough leeway. It’s 2 o’clock on Monday, I have made inquiries to get something and haven’t got it yet.”
Asked what he would do now, Santone said: “I can’t do anything. He is contracted to Canterbury. This is what I don’t understand.”
Santone denied speculation suggesting he had contacted the club claiming Faitala-Mariner was unhappy with the Bulldogs’ intense training program and where he was being selected.
“Ray and I can categorically say that I never complained to Canterbury about what position he played or his intensity,” he said.
The Bulldogs confirmed to this masthead on Sunday night that Faitala-Mariner had been granted permission to talk with rival clubs.
There is now confusion over how and why the message has been lost between club and client.
As of Sunday evening, Bulldogs teammate Ryan Sutton hasn’t officially been granted approval to talk with other clubs.
