Bulldogs boss Phil Gould has slammed the NRL over their 'stupid rules' after a shock report regarding former club captain Josh Jackson was revealed.
The 32-year-old hung up the boots over the off-season, ending a lengthy career with Canterbury that spanned over a decade and close to 250 first grade appearances.
Jackson has now moved into a strength and conditioning role with the club after completing necessary tertiary education during his playing days, and has joined a number of other club greats such as Willie Mason and Andrew Ryan in remaining at Belmore.
But in a shock development, senior reporter Danny Weidler has revealed on 100% Footy that the club are forking out $200,000 under their salary cap despite Jackson's on-field retirement.
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“Last year there was a shock retirement of Josh Jackson, the Bulldogs captain and legend," he said.
"The mail I’m getting is that he is part of the high performance side of things now with the Bulldogs and he studied throughout his time as a Bulldogs player.
"I believe that the NRL have put maybe $200,000 of Josh Jackson’s wage into the Bulldogs’ salary cap.
"I can’t imagine that helps in trying to sign potential new players – that might impact the Bulldogs."
The decision from the NRL to force the club to pay out Jackon's wages from the final year of his contract under the salary cap has already drawn the ire of Gould, who was irate during Monday night's show.
Canterbury's head of football took aim at the league and questioned some of the other 'ridiculous' rules in place for past players.
“It’s a stupid rule, we’ve appealed it and they haven’t responded as well," Gould said.
"We will leave it there. Who told you all this? We’ve appealed it, haven't heard back.
"It’s a stupid rule – it’s like Laurie Daley can’t be a coach because he works for TAB Corp. Willie Mason got offered a big contract to go and do some work for TAB Corp – he can’t do it and have a club job as well.
"But Matt Tripp, all he does is corporate bookmaking, he is the chairman of Melbourne Storm.
"[It is] ridiculous – we’ve got some stupid rules in our game."
