Bulldogs’ CEO Aaron Warburton on standing by NRL forward Adam Elliott
In his only interview, Bulldogs chief executive Aaron Warburton reveals why the club is standing by forward Adam Elliott.
David Riccio - February 20, 2021 - 9:54PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
New Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton says forward Adam Elliott knows he’s on his last chance after coming clean that he needs professional help and is committing to an alcoholic rehabilitation program.
While refusing to condone the 26-year-old’s behaviour, Canterbury have made the polarising decision to stand by the NRL forward after he became embroiled in an off-field tryst with former teammate Michael Lichaa’s partner.
“This is an extremely difficult time for my family and I,” Elliott said.
“In consultation with the club, I will be undertaking the necessary help that I require with appropriate measures and checks.”
In an initiation by fire, Warburton — who doesn’t officially start as Bulldogs CEO until tomorrow — said the club decided against sacking, suspending or fining Elliott on the basis he steps forward, owns his issues and begins alcohol rehabilitation.
“Adam knows that (it’s his last chance),’’ Warburton said in his only interview.
“Suspensions, fines, all of that was discussed, but until he wants to change, he admits to seeking help, then what impact can we all have as a club on our community? Adam has said to us, ‘I’ll take the advice, whatever it is, I’ll take the advice’.
“We’ve met with him numerous times and our chairman John Khoury has been in constant contact with (NRL CEO) Andrew Abdo to make sure we got this right. We’re all comfortable that Adam is 100 per cent committed to this.
“I’ve got a referral (for professional help) from the RLPA and two that we have internally, Adam and I will be looking into those and working with as soon as today. There’ll be analysis done (on him) and a set of processes that will be adhered to.”
THE DECISION
While highly provocative and morally contentious, the delicate nature of the issue for the Bulldogs was Elliott had failed to breach any of the NRL’s code of conduct.
However, that didn’t stop suggestions spreading throughout the game last week that there were some Bulldogs board directors who wanted him sacked and that coach Trent Barrett fought for his player’s ongoing employment.
Warburton denied any tension over their final decision.
“(Sacking Elliott) was never discussed,’’ Warburton said. “The key was, (Elliott’s) owned this from day one and, as I would expect, Trent has backed his player, as he would any player that tells him the truth. And that’s what Adam did, he came forward and said, ‘I’ll do whatever it takes to prove myself and get myself better’.
COMMUNITY LEADER
It’s the second major off-field headline for Elliott, who was hit with a $25,000 fine in 2018 for exposing himself during Mad Monday celebrations.
On that occasion, just like his latest issue, alcohol was a major factor.
However, the club is willing to stand by him on the basis of his character that has resulted in community work and fundraising around autism — evidenced by winning the club’s 2019 Community Service Award.
“This is a guy that has so much to give and a passion to make a difference,’’ Warburton said.
“We know what this guy can do when he is switched on. The difference we can make on the community and the impact we can have on so many lives is real and this goes against that. So now it’s about Adam owning it and being a big part of bringing this club back to where it needs to be.’’
TRAINING AND PLAYING
Warburton was unable to confirm if Elliott would be excused from training or playing in either the club’s pre-season trial matches or the opening round of the season.
“They (professionals) need to assess the situation as it is, as far as training and playing goes,’’ Warburton said.
“We can’t make assumptions, we just don’t know what that process will look like. We can’t afford to skip parts of the process by making calls too early. Training and playing could be a part of his rehabilitation.’’
IMPACT ON SPONSORS
Warburton was chosen to replace former CEO Andrew Hill because of his commercial acumen.
Having first worked in rugby league with the Eels in corporate sales in 2002, Warburton understands brand damage.
He and Khoury spent Saturday on the phone to key sponsors, and despite this week’s troubles, they hope to announce two major partners on Wednesday.
“I appreciate there’s going to be discrepancies from time to time, across the game and obviously this club will work through them as they come up, but we’re owning it as a club and we’re saying we’ve got our duty of care to Adam to make sure he comes out of this 10 times better,’’ Warburton said.
“And he knows he can. I think in three, five years, we can look back and say what an amazing learning from a very difficult situation that involves personal and private matters. If I’m a Bulldogs supporter, of all the positive things that have come out of the off-season from a board who are all on the same page and a coach who has proven himself to attract players, the fans will support Adam through this time.’’
