Eerie TikTok link emerges in 'repulsive' NRL scandal
A bizarre video has emerged of Corey Harawira-Naera on TikTok with an eerie link to the NRL sex scandal the Bulldogs player is currently embroiled in.
The futures of Harawira-Naera and Canterbury teammate Jayden Okunbor's hang in the balance as the NRL and Bulldogs investigate allegations they brought two young females back to a hotel last month.
The two have already been provisionally stood down by the NRL and club, and will not train or play with the team until the investigation is complete after being handed a breach notice.
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The allegations against the pair stem from the club’s trip to Port Macquarie on the NSW mid-north coast, where they played a pre-season match against Canberra in February.
Now footage has emerged of Harawira-Naera from the popular video sharing platform TikTok, that represents an eerie link to the scandal.
The Bulldogs forward can be seen in the clip dancing seductively while miming the lyrics “girl, you know you turn me on”.
In a creepy coincidence he posted it to TikTok on February 25 - the same day he travelled with the club to Port Macquarie - the scene of the alleged controversy involving the high school girls.
The NRL has issued Harawira-Naerea and Okunbor with show cause notices, meaning they must present a case as to why further disciplinary measures should not be taken as part of the game's code of conduct.
Both high school girls at the centre of the saga were of legal age and there has been no criminal investigation into the matter.
However, NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has vowed to send a tough message over the drama, promising severe punishments if the allegations against the pair are proven.
An angry Greenberg said the incident was "completely unacceptable" and would "not be tolerated".
"Part of being a first grade player is being a role model," Greenberg said on Wednesday night.
"Respect for women is a fundamental aspect of our training courses from rookies to elite players.
"That's why we took immediate action in provisionally suspending both players allegedly involved in the matters under investigation.
"Rest assured, if these breaches are sustained the players will face significant sanctions which will both meet community expectation, and send a message to every single player in our game."
Bulldogs sponsor pulls pin over ‘disgusting’ saga
The sorry saga has already had major repercussions on the Bulldogs, with restaurant chain Rashays pulling the pin on their $2 million sponsorship deal.
“It’s a shame two players could wreck it for everyone,” Rashays owner Rami Ykmour told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“It’s disgusting. It’s repulsive, to be honest …
“When you have your own kids you see things differently. I have children myself that go to school, so when you hear stories like this you have no choice but to walk away. We’re a family restaurant and when I told my wife about what was about to come out in the media, she said we had to get out of it.”
The timing of the incident has no doubt frustrated the NRL. Greenberg's comments came less than 24 hours before the beginning of the season.
The Bulldogs feature in the season opener against Parramatta, meaning coverage of the lead up to the game has been dominated by the scandal.
‘Conduct of this nature breaches every aspect of what we stand for’
The NRL's schools and community program is also a source of great pride for the organisation.
"Conduct of this nature breaches every aspect of what we stand for as a game," Greenberg said.
"Our players have no greater social responsibility than promoting respect for women.
"Our game has been commended internationally for the work we do, not only in Australia but throughout the Pacific, in educating and promoting respect for women.
"We will continue to do more and more in this sphere and we will act swiftly on any player who does not meet those expectations."
With agencies