Bears coach Mal Meninga has blasted his critics while breaking his silence over anti-tampering claims levelled against him.
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Public comments Meninga made about the Bears’ potential interest in signing Bulldogs duo Jacob Preston and Matt Burton led to a complaint from Canterbury and in turn, a job for the NRL’s Integrity Unit who are currently investigating.
“There has also been a heap of noise around Matt Burton. Jacob Preston, he’s someone coming off contract after 2027, we’ll be in the picture,” Meninga said about the pair, who are both set to hit the open market on November 1.
The new ’Phil Gould rule’ Meninga is alleged to have broken was brought in this season.
The rule is designed to stop team coaches or officials potentially enticing players under contract at other clubs with public comments.
It was introduced following comments Gould – the Bulldogs’ general manager of football – made last year on then-Tigers young gun Lachlan Galvin, who eventually signed with the Dogs.
Meninga says he’ll cop any punishment on the chin but admitted he wasn’t aware his remarks ran afoul of the NRL rule book.
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“I honestly wasn’t aware of it until yesterday. I haven’t worried too much … If I’ve done the wrong thing, I’ll put my hand up,” Meninga told Code Sports.
The rugby league legend then had a crack at those who have criticised him and the Bears for not being vocal enough in the media.
“I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t,” he said.
“People complain we’re not engaging in the market, then criticise us for saying something.
“Everyone plays somewhere, mate. That’s the bottom line.
“I don’t know where the line is with talking about players. I don’t know where I stand.
“I’m not familiar with all the internal rules. But if someone asks if you’d be interested in a marquee player, of course you would be but we haven’t approached anyone who is under contract.”