Cronulla Sharks forward Toby Rudolf is counting his lucky stars after a judge dismissed an offensive behaviour charge related to the NRL star’s decision to drop his dacks and flash his bare bum at a council worker.
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The incident took place in January this year during an argument which erupted after the worker told Rudolf, a known lover of dogs, to put his pooches on a leash.
Rudolf had been walking his dog Louie and another dog Tallulah, which he was minding for a friend, down Nicholson Parade in Cronulla on January 11 when he was told to put the pooches on a leash by a Sutherland Shire council ranger.
When the ranger threatened to take one of the dogs after Rudolf explained he only had one leash with him, a verbal altercation began and eventuated in the star footy player turning around and dropping his dacks in the direction of the bewildered worker.
In June, the Sharks enforcer was issued with a court attendance notice for offensive behaviour in a public place.
“I am not writing this to make excuses for my behaviour, I simply want to give the court context about who I am,” Rudolf wrote.
“I reacted poorly to the situation, and allowed my emotions and frustration to influence my behaviour.
“What seemed like a stupid moment at the time has made me reflect seriously on the way I conduct myself and the consequences that can come from making a poor decision.”
Rudolf said he was “genuinely sorry” and asked the court to consider the incident as “isolated”.
The judge said Rudolf’s solid character references, genuine remorse and clean record meant he wouldn’t be penalised or convicted, but a nine month conditional release order would still be imposed to deter him from any more bad behaviour.
“You have to be very careful,” she said.
Outside court, Rudolf said he was “remorseful”, but also felt a fair verdict had been reached.
“I’m not perfect, I’m far from it. It definitely wasn’t my finest moment, and I’m looking forward to rectifying my mistakes and walking my dogs on a leash from now on,” he said.
“I love my dogs. I haven’t got any kids, and they’re pretty much my children,” he said.
