Cronulla forward Toby Rudolf avoided having a conviction recorded for “mooning” a park ranger, and said, “I’m looking forward to getting back out on the field – and keeping my pants up.”
Rudolf was charged with offensive behaviour in a public place after flashing his buttocks at a Sutherland Shire Council ranger in Cronulla on January 11.
The 30-year-old prop became frustrated when the ranger threatened to take one of his two rescue dogs because he only had one leash.
According to a police fact sheet, the ranger had returned to his car when Rudolf “bent over, pulled down his shorts to expose his buttocks, and spread the buttocks with his right hand”.
Rudolf risked a $660 fine, but after pleading guilty in Sutherland court on Thursday was served with a section 10 – which allows a court to find an accused guilty of an offence but discharge the matter without recording a conviction – and told to be on his best behaviour for the next nine months.
The Sharks player, who worked as a red carpet host at the Logies on Sunday for Nine, the owner of this masthead, said he would fast-track negotiations with the Shire club about a contract extension for 2027 now that the ranger drama was over.
Rudolf and Cronulla are closing in on a deal worth around $500,000. The Sharks reported the ranger incident to the NRL Integrity Unit once Rudolf was charged.
“Now this is resolved, I think it will be a lot closer,” Rudolf said. “This is something I’ve had to deal with, it’s been hanging over my head, and now the section 10 has been granted, those [contract] conversations will accelerate.
“I’m remorseful for what I did, but a fair verdict was reached at the end of the day.I’m not perfect, 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. I’m looking forward to getting back out on the field and keeping my pants up.”
Rudolf said it was not uncommon for his Sharks teammates to see his buttocks, because “I’m pretty confident in my skin, usually [that image] doesn’t leave the locker room, and I’ll look to keep it that way in the future, for sure”.
Sidelined with a knee injury since June, Rudolf made a successful return via NSW Cup in recent weeks, and was named on an extended bench for Sunday’s trip to the Gold Coast.
The judge took into account the guilty verdict, the fact Rudolf had no criminal record, and his regular community work.
Rudolf wrote in his formal apology to the courts: “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 in the moment.”
