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Melbourne Storm alleged incident

The NRL has been made aware of a video on social media that allegedly shows Melbourne Storm players in a room where there is a white substance on a table.

Nine journalist Danny Weidler tweeted, "(it's) too early to say investigation launched", but the integrity unit has been notified.

"Having seen the video it's not a great look," Weidler said.

"Another concern is they have been betrayed by people in the room with them."

News Corp reports the video shows two Storm players in a room which has at least six people in it, including the person filming.

The Storm were bundled out of the premiership race on Saturday in a 10-6 loss to Penrith.


MOD NOTE: Do not post the video, and do not name names.
 
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League Unlimited News

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
7,623
Melbourne Storm players Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis have today accepted the NRL and Club sanctions handed down following investigations into a video involving the players after the preliminary final loss last week.

All three players have accepted full responsibility for their actions which resulted in the NRL serving each with a breach notice under the Code of Conduct.

  • Cameron Munster – official breach notice, $30,000 fine, one NRL match suspension
  • Brandon Smith - official breach notice, $15,000 fine, one NRL match suspension
  • Chris Lewis - official breach notice, $4,000 fine, one NRL match suspension
In addition to the NRL sanctions, the three players have accepted Club enforced actions that will take effect immediately. These actions include:

Cameron Munster

  • $100,000 (suspended) fine
  • Additional behavioural conditions as part of a disciplinary action agreement
  • Stood down from the Senior Leadership Group
  • Will enter and complete a four-week rehabilitation program
  • Will abstain from alcohol for a period of 12 months
  • Consultation with club medical team and health professionals to individualise a comprehensive ongoing welfare program
Brandon Smith
  • $50,000 (suspended) fine
  • Additional behavioural conditions as part of a disciplinary action agreement
  • Stood down from the Emerging Leadership Group
  • Consultation with club medical team and health professionals to individualise a comprehensive ongoing welfare program
Chris Lewis
  • $10,000 (suspended) fine
  • Additional behavioural conditions as part of a disciplinary action agreement
  • Will assist with the development of a new education program for our young NRL talent and elite pathway programs
  • Consultation with club medical team and health professionals to individualise a comprehensive ongoing welfare program
All three players will have individualised welfare support and action plans developed in consultation with Storm medical and health professionals.

The players will formally apologise to Storm staff in person when they return to training and will record individual messages for Club members and partners.

Importantly, they will record a video message to apologise to the other 213 past players and Melbourne Old Boys who have pulled on the Storm jersey and set the foundations of this club over 23 years.

They will be required to spend time with all Storm pathway programs, providing coaching and education for young men and women entering the elite sporting system.

In addition, they will all be required to support community-based programs such as ‘In League In Harmony’ and youth programs in partnership with local government partners and local rugby league clubs.
Storm CEO, Justin Rodski, said the players had accepted all penalties handed to them by the NRL and club.

"This has been an incredibly challenging and disappointing period for everyone involved in our club," Rodski said.

"The decisions of these three players have hurt a lot of people and the players have broken the trust of the club and the game.

"The players are genuinely remorseful for what has happened. They have made a significant error in judgement, and they are here today to own their decisions and take responsibility for their actions.

"The players know they are on notice, they all have significant fines hanging over their head, and face significant consequences for any future indiscretion, no matter how big or small.

They are hurting and have already suffered significant embarrassment and shame over the last week. But importantly, they are not hiding from the issue and have committed to taking necessary steps to address their behaviour and mental health to ensure they make better decisions in the future and can influence others to also make better choices in life.
CEO Justin Rodski

"As a club, we are committed to holding our players accountable for their actions, but we will also provide them with the right support they need to correct their behaviour.

"Ultimately, we have a duty of care to our players and want to see them contributing in a meaningful way to the game, the club and the community, both on and off the field." Rodski said.

Media Release: October 5, 2021 - Storm (melbournestorm.com.au)
 

snickers007

Juniors
Messages
1,448
Thank God they didn't do anything serious like pretend to f**k a dog. That would have been 8 weeks.

Get over it mate, we're 6 seasons removed from this.
Not only has the NRL admitted that they got the punishment wrong with Pearce, but the entire NRL Executive Committee has changed since.

Are you really advocating that the NRL continue to over-react, and over-penalise players in the name of 'consistency' ever more?

Also, let's not downplay his antics as simply 'pretending to f**k a dog'. He tried to force himself on a girl and was rejected. Went on a rant about his supposed sexuality and heritage. Pissed himself on her couch. And then pretended to f**k her dog.

In terms of damage caused to the game, Pearce's incident was covered worldwide. Walsh and the Storm boys would be lucky to get a mention outside of the Eastern states.
 

Valheru

Coach
Messages
17,509
I'm certainly not one of the "won't someone think of the women and children" Karen's on here when it comes to drugs but yet again the NRL have shown themselves to be completely inconsistent with punishments.

Dylan Napa got a bigger fine for consensual sex FFS.
 

Valheru

Coach
Messages
17,509
Get over it mate, we're 6 seasons removed from this.
Not only has the NRL admitted that they got the punishment wrong with Pearce, but the entire NRL Executive Committee has changed since.

Are you really advocating that the NRL continue to over-react, and over-penalise players in the name of 'consistency' ever more?

Also, let's not downplay his antics as simply 'pretending to f**k a dog'. He tried to force himself on a girl and was rejected. Went on a rant about his supposed sexuality and heritage. Pissed himself on her couch. And then pretended to f**k her dog.

In terms of damage caused to the game, Pearce's incident was covered worldwide. Walsh and the Storm boys would be lucky to get a mention outside of the Eastern states.

Thank you for confirming he did nothing illegal.

It was covered worldwide because the media went hysteric over it. They could have done that here but didn't.

Anyways, let's use more recent examples. Dylan Napa... $50k for consensual sex.
 

Gareth67

First Grade
Messages
8,406
Pleasing to see that the club took into account the sad plight of the players finances by suspending their fines .

The amount itself looks impressive , however it means absolutely jack-shat if it has been suspended .

However looking on the bright side of this sad story is that the club retains its well deserved image of being the clean skins of the NRL .
 
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Floodwaters

Juniors
Messages
1,042
Am I missing something with Munster?

4 week rehab, he hasn't struggled with drugs before has he?... He was just letting his hair down after a long season... seems odd to me rehab.

NRL can deny it all they want 70% of there players enjoy party drugs in there offseason and if you go out on a Friday or Saturday night its common as f**k in the general public.
 

Floodwaters

Juniors
Messages
1,042
I remember pre smart phones early 2000's you'd go out and see Dogs players and Roosters players snort coke and speed at the tables they were sitting at as the night progressed, never hurt no one lol
 

JamesRustle

First Grade
Messages
6,477
Importantly, they will record a video message to apologise to the other 213 past players and Melbourne Old Boys who have pulled on the Storm jersey and set the foundations of this club over 23 years.

What a bunch of wankers, setting a punishment that cannot be done... at least one of those 213 past players is dead. The hubris of Storm never ceases to disgust me.
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
65,411
Am I missing something with Munster?

4 week rehab, he hasn't struggled with drugs before has he?... He was just letting his hair down after a long season... seems odd to me rehab.

NRL can deny it all they want 70% of there players enjoy party drugs in there offseason and if you go out on a Friday or Saturday night its common as f**k in the general public.
Given the rehab and the grog ban its possible he has some ongoing issues he needs to deal with? He's about to have a kid, not a bad time for him to get his sht together!
 

Perth Red

Post Whore
Messages
65,411
1 week....f**k me NRL can slap one on the wrist cant they not.

If I was Mitchell Pearce I would be getting myself a good lawyer and suing the NRL.
Didnt he assault a woman? thats was a big no no for Greenberg, why the surprise he got roasted?

Just last year Naden got zero weeks and no fine for testing positive, one week and $30k for being in the same room seems harsh in comparison!
 

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