Bulldogs’ Mad Monday fine halved

Canterbury have had their NRL fine for their lewd Mad Monday celebrations halved.

The club was fined A$250,000 (NZ$272,700) after Adam Elliott and Asipeli Fine were photographed nude while celebrating at a Sydney pub.

The NRL said yesterday they had reduced the Bulldogs’ fine to A$125,000 (NZ$136,355) after taking into account the club’s submission.

A spokesman said the Bulldogs had acknowledged the seriousness of the breach and apologised for the damage caused. The club has also committed to put measures in place to ensure there is no repeat of the behaviour.

‘‘Under those circumstances, the NRL will suspend half the original fine,’’ the spokesman said.

‘‘However the suspended part of the fine will be reimposed if there is any material breach of the Code of Conduct during the next two years.’’

Bulldogs chief executive Andrew Hill and chairwoman Lynne Anderson both said the NRL’s findings acknowledge how closely the club had worked with the governing body since the fine was imposed.

They said Bulldogs management had acted swiftly to improve procedures and ensure there is no repeat. Anderson said the club had learned from the experience.

‘‘We acknowledge that some of the behaviours on the day were a poor look for the club and the game and we have reviewed everything that took place,’’ Anderson said.