I am a Knights Fan, a Rugby League fan but I've always followed the Storm as a second team because of what they've had to battle through in the past just to justify their existence. They are underdogs. I've spoken to Storm fans and they're some of the most dedicated followers of any sport code because they're the most villified.
The actions of those 5 managers is deplorable. They were concerned only with their egos and money and they've hurt fans, players, coaches with a rippling effect right across the league. I believe the players and coach had no knowledge as its not their responsibility to question what others are being paid. And I'm sure if they had known the clubs position, I suspect some may have left for money, but most would have sacrificed as they truly love their club.
How do you punish that without punishing innocent people? Well you can't. The premierships the Storm won were unfair, unfair to all the other teams in the competition. They need to be taken away. But the achievements of those athletes who were playing in the spirit of the game, that can never be taken away with them. These aren't players who were poached from elsewhere. They were developed within the club itself and turned into champions.
As for this season, well everyone knows where we're at. The Storm are playing for pride alone. That might keep them going for a few weeks but its going to eat away at them. The owners are dedicated to keeping the club alive but we don't want to see fans driven away because of the actions of a few. The NRL needs to convene a meeting of all clubs, players and coaches and figure out a way that the Storm can get under the cap fairly by auctioning players and get a majority decision and this needs to be done fast.
Rugby League has survived worse than this and it will fight on. I hope the managers who profited by this, such as Brian Waldron who is a multi-millionaire, are punished to full extent of the law if found guilty by trial. Also, the fans and players and the club itself have every right to proceed with a civil action against them and should do so.
23 Apr 2010, 4:24 am
