The press conference

[_Johnsy]

Hasn't this foundation been disbanded?
And also I think that because it's a not for profit organisation that they are exempt from paying TAX. I'm sure the ATO would like to know why a charitable organisation are topping up footballers wages.

Unity Foundation was set up at the same time Waldron and Vale worked at St Kilda. It was set up by a St Kilda footballer Xavier CLARKE, former St Kilda footballer Allan MURRAY & Peter KING (no allegiance to St Kilda to my knowledge).

Coincidence ?

 

[adamkungl]

How did you feel in the 2004 GF? You copped a 3 point loss to a team that was assembled under a massive rort - and then decided to take a pay cut to beat you in a GF, before disbanding. Melbournes cheating can still win them a GF in 2011 or 2012 if they keep the big 4

Don't see how this is relevant. At no point have I said that the Storm should be allowed to field the saem side with paycuts, because yes it would be illegally assembled. They certainly should be forced to shed players.

My point was that whether the players knew or not (and I think Godz Illa talks a lot of sense on this, a page or 2 back), I don't see how it changes anything. Firstly, I believe it is the club's responsibility to ensure their playing staff as a whole are under the cap, not an individual player's. Secondly, I would prefer that superstars of the game not be rubbed out or pushed to other football codes.

Should the Storm be allowed to field this side next year? No.

 

[adamkungl]

The attitude of the players towards the audit reflects the attitude of their board. Perhaps they were poorly advised by their chairman, perhaps they were acting out of spite and trying to hinder the investigation, perhaps they were trying to protect themselves from any tax problems. Either way they were not legally compelled to co-operate and failing to do so does not prove guilt.

The more I read the focus on the players in here the more I believe it is misguided. If they’ve committed tax offences then that’s a matter for the ATO and none of our concern, nor a concern of their employer News Ltd or their appointed auditors. I doubt they have willingly cheated the cap or willingly defrauded the NRL. If they had suspicions of the “dodgy” side letters and secondary letters of offer they probably quizzed their superiors about them and were assured it was all hunky dory. What more can we expect of them? To blow the whistle to Ian Schubert? If their CEO and whomever of the 4 have granted the assurance it is all ok, should they have been compelled to go to Schubert and the NRL? A bit of a far fetched scenario isn’t it? It seems to me that in it is in the interests of the architects of the rort for the players to know as little as possible about the schemes, because players move on from club to club and would be more likely to have loose lips - indeed 6 of the players named are no longer at the Storm. What punishments do you hope to impose on Turner, Crocker or the retired Matt Geyer? To be quite honest they’ve been punished sufficiently already, as Gallop stated. The premierships have been stripped

^this.

 

[Loudstrat]

The hate goes for generations! Look at Balmain fans still whinging at 1909. I still remember Blocker blowing up on the footy show about that!

The big difference betwen Melbourne and Canterbury is that the Dogs co-operated, the storm did not. Bellamy I applaud (despite the fact hge cannot coach) yet I guess he showed the integrity of a NSWelshman in doing what is right over doing what gived you most benefit.

There is real danger that the Big 4 will be martyred - by that I mean made out to be heroes for sticking solid with the club in crisis - an agenda we already are seeing. As I see it the only fair way out is for the big 4 to be broken up - their salary glut is the core problem. The NRL cannot allow them to stay on big pay cuts. They cannot allow them to be surrounded by cheap NYC players (for integrity of the code). They cannot allow them to exist on their massive salaries and perks packages.

For all these tools whinging about the poor players - spare a thought for the ones under the 4 pricks who will have to leave.

 

[Timmah]

:lol: at comparing the 04 premiership to the Storm situation.

And the rort in 02 was miniscule compared to this btw...

 

[_Johnsy]

Given that they cheated the cap by millions of $$$, where was all this money coming from ?

Storm chiefs were given huge salary boosts



http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...ge-salary-boosts/story-e6frg7mf-1225858536102

TWO club officials at the centre of the Melbourne Storm salary-cap scandal were last year awarded hefty pay rises.

The combined salaries of the club's former chief executive officer, Brian Waldron, and former chief operating officer, Matthew Hanson, jumped 60 per cent from $422,273 to nearly $700,000, the Storm's latest accounts show.

One thing comes to mind when thinking of the Melbourne Storm
a culture of greed. Any chance someone could do up a picture of a few pigs at the above troughwith Storm jumpers on ?

 

[Loudstrat]

I definitely agree Timmah, but the point was that the 04 was assembled with 02 money - evidenced by everyone bar Hazem, Bobcat and The General moving on soon after.

 

[perverse]

tbh I don't care if the players knew or not. It doesn't seem particularly relevant at this stage. All of their achievements have been stripped. What worth is a premiership if nobody acknowledges it? Their premiership rings are essentially worthless now. Who cares if they give them back?

Time to move on and rebuild. Sick of bitter Parra and Saints fans laying the boot in, its getting boring...

agreed, but i would replace the word boring with the word petty... or pathetic...

:lol: at comparing the 04 premiership to the Storm situation.

And the rort in 02 was miniscule compared to this btw...

it's a fair comparison. just because the scale of the breach is on another level, the principle is the same. pay cuts should 100% not be allowed, period... and the Bulldogs premiership illustrates that lessoned learned. if you don't agree or like it then your head is further up your own arse than storm fans trying to defend this.

the hate on storm fans at the moment is pretty sad, too. they are obviously hurting and over-reacting to criticism of their team. i would likely do the same in their situation, as would most of us.

lastly, i think the NRL has done enough, without doing a fantastic job. they have been adequate and stuck by their guns, nothing more than that. fact is if they wanted to draw this out in court over the next couple of years it would damage the games reputation for far longer, and i'm sure the NRL is hoping for as quick and clean a resolution as possible from the whole situation. those of you believing the NRL have been gutless by not pursuing legal action left, right and centre just don't get it. it is not worth the time and trouble for the NRL itself of for any of the other 15 clubs... as damage to the games reputation as a whole damages each club equally. dragging this out over a long period of time is in no-ones best interests, and believing otherwise is once again petty, childish and simply not looking at the bigger picture. you all want vengeance for this travesty, but the reality is that no good will come of it. the sanctions, fines and punishments have been laid down and carried out appropriately. time to move forward. the only issue on the table now should be how do we get Melbourne under the cap, and what is to happen to their player roster to make that happen - with paycuts being a complete non-option.

 

[_Johnsy]

I am not bitter because I am a saints fan. I am pissed off because of the attitude of their players refusing to take part in the investigation, their current board saying they accept the decision then instigate court action. The club has lied and condoned the no action/no cooperation stance.

Just man the f**k up and take your medicine and accept fault. If the players accept the money the signed numerous contracts for they should be named. I know people can easily find out my salary with a little bit of investigation.

The players who knew what was going on have got away with it, no repurcussions at all, by having no integrity at all. Thats what I am bitter about.

 

[manly40gimps0]

agreed, but i would replace the word boring with the word petty... or pathetic...

it's a fair comparison. just because the scale of the breach is on another level, the principle is the same. pay cuts should 100% not be allowed, period... and the Bulldogs premiership illustrates that lessoned learned. if you don't agree or like it then your head is further up your own arse than storm fans trying to defend this.

the hate on storm fans at the moment is pretty sad, too. they are obviously hurting and over-reacting to criticism of their team. i would likely do the same in their situation, as would most of us.

lastly, i think the NRL has done enough, without doing a fantastic job. they have been adequate and stuck by their guns, nothing more than that. fact is if they wanted to draw this out in court over the next couple of years it would damage the games reputation for far longer, and i'm sure the NRL is hoping for as quick and clean a resolution as possible from the whole situation. those of you believing the NRL have been gutless by not pursuing legal action left, right and centre just don't get it. it is not worth the time and trouble for the NRL itself of for any of the other 15 clubs... as damage to the games reputation as a whole damages each club equally. dragging this out over a long period of time is in no-ones best interests, and believing otherwise is once again petty, childish and simply not looking at the bigger picture. you all want vengeance for this travesty, but the reality is that no good will come of it. the sanctions, fines and punishments have been laid down and carried out appropriately. time to move forward. the only issue on the table now should be how do we get Melbourne under the cap, and what is to happen to their player roster to make that happen - with paycuts being a complete non-option.

Agree, But what happens now with the 4 ex directors and the court case, Are they still going ahead with it? This still could be a problem if the are.

 

[StormChaser]

Where's all the irrational Storm supporters?

*Waves hands in the air* Sorry I'm late, had work to do etc, etc. Here now, let's begin.

In summary :

"It is everyone else's fault but News Ltd and if you question the findings of this News Ltd commissioned report it is considered defamatory"

^^ This. Why is nobody mentioning these merkins in all this? This thing stinks to high heaven! They are a billion dollar company, but the Storm spent all this money and they never knew? Riiiiiiiiiiiigggggggghhhhhhhhhttttttt!

If some type of action is not taken over the players who flatly refused to cooperate with the deloittes forensic investigators by Melbourne Storm and/or NRL, how can anyone seriously support this club in any way shape or form ?

The players took very, VERY, poor advice on this, and I really wish they had of co-operated. But having said that, I will support the team to my dying breath. If I didn't love this club so much, I'd walk away from this game forever after the way things have gone down.

They've had all their achievements stripped, what more do you want?

They want blood!

Agree with Twizzle those players named should be stood down, for sure.

Not sure why people are demanding further penalties on the club, what's been dished out seems wholly appropriate IMO, let them start fresh next year.

What other possible punishments are there anyway?

God Timmothay don't have me agreeing with you on a permanent basis, I couldn't live with myself.

Here's my position. I'm happy, yes f**king happy that this is all out in the open and we can rebuild.
In all honestly, even if we lose our big four, I could care less, if I have to support a team of no names next year then so be it. I love the Storm and will support who ever plays or coaches that team.
Hurrah!

 

[Matt23]

*Waves hands in the air* Sorry I'm late, had work to do etc, etc. Here now, let's begin.
Here's my position. I'm happy, yes f**king happy that this is all out in the open and we can rebuild.
In all honestly, even if we lose our big four, I could care less, if I have to support a team of no names next year then so be it. I love the Storm and will support who ever plays or coaches that team.
Hurrah!

...well said

 

[_Johnsy]

The players took very, VERY, poor advice on this, and I really wish they had of co-operated. But having said that, I will support the team to my dying breath. If I didn't love this club so much, I'd walk away from this game forever after the way things have gone down.

This is not an attempt top lay the boot in, but I find it interesting you say you love the club, but you'd walk away from the game. Is your club bigger than the game ?

It may have just been a poor choice of words.

 

[StormChaser]

This is not an attempt top lay the boot in, but I find it interesting you say you love the club, but you'd walk away from the game. Is your club bigger than the game ?

It may have just been a poor choice of words.

Johnsy, I have been watching NRL since I was 3 years old (granted it was mainly bloody Eels games, but nontheless) and I love it. Love Origin, love the finals no matter who's playing, love tests, love the All stars thing, but Gallop and his cronies have left a very bitter taste in my mouth. I just feel that something isn't right. Yes we deserve our punishments, etc, but something really stinks in the NRL, and I think the way the game is being run is a complete farce.
I'm not making excuses for what my club have done. I just don't trust that this isn't going on elsewhere (maybe not to this scale) and it won't be found out because the people who take care of business are not competant.

 

[adamkungl]

This is not an attempt top lay the boot in, but I find it interesting you say you love the club, but you'd walk away from the game. Is your club bigger than the game ?

It may have just been a poor choice of words.

If I for some reason lost my club I'd end any support of the NRL. Not the game - I'd watch park football.

 

[_Johnsy]

Johnsy, I have been watching NRL since I was 3 years old (granted it was mainly bloody Eels games, but nontheless) and I love it. Love Origin, love the finals no matter who's playing, love tests, love the All stars thing, but Gallop and his cronies have left a very bitter taste in my mouth. I just feel that something isn't right. Yes we deserve our punishments, etc, but something really stinks in the NRL, and I think the way the game is being run is a complete farce.
I'm not making excuses for what my club have done. I just don't trust that this isn't going on elsewhere (maybe not to this scale) and it won't be found out because the people who take care of business are not competant.

Cheers, & kudos to you.

O?T - I for one cannot wait to come down and watch the big red V in Melb in 2011, really looking forward to seeing the new stadium.

 

[StormChaser]

That game will be a packed house. Guaranteed!

 

[perverse]

Agree, But what happens now with the 4 ex directors and the court case, Are they still going ahead with it? This still could be a problem if the are.

they don't even have half a leg to stand on from where i'm sitting. i can't imagine this getting that much of a look-in in court to be honest, especially after the latest revelations. i mean you can say what you like about Gallop, really... but he does have a proven and successful track record as an astute lawyer. i'm pretty sure he's got himself and the NRL covered on this one.

to be honest i said it earlier in the year and i'll say it again, i've been pretty happy with Gallop lately. he doesn't generally stoop low enough to take direct, petty pot shots at rival codes... he focuses on the strengths of our own competition. i actually applaud him for taking the high road on such issues, rather than getting into public slanging matches with the AFL CEO... Andrew Whatshisface. Gallop could bullsh*t a bit more in the papers i suppose and use a bit more spin, but all in all i think he genuinely has the best interests of the game, and not his parent company employer (necessarily) in focus. over spending and over expansion are two things he is very visibly eager to avoid in the wake of the Super League fiasco... and i think if we get our big TV deal in 2013 and 2 more teams, then not many people could really complain with the job he has done as a whole. slow and steady, for sure... but it is building a solid foundation for growth in the future. i'm happy enough to have him as the first CEO of the IC... and i think he'll do an even better job once it is all completely independant.

that isn't to say Gallop is perfect or that some criticism is unwarrented... but he has hardly run us into the ground... and i think we tend to focus far more intently on the negatives than the positives.

 

[Fui!!!]

Oh dear.

Are you aware they did not cooperate with the investigation?

As such, they can never be 100% clear. With the current evidence available, without cooperation from the players involved, their names cannot be 100% cleared.

Don't know how much clearer that can be.

Yeah, but this is Australia. and we have a little thing called the presumption of innocence.

And as much as i don't like the Storm players, they don't have to prove their innocence one bit.

 

[gronkathon]

Yeah, but this is Australia. and we have a little thing called the presumption of innocence.

And as much as i don't like the Storm players, they don't have to prove their innocence one bit.

IN courts of law? Yes we most certainly do.

In the court of public opinion? No. The presumption of innocence, just like the rules of evidence bear little to no weight with the general public in their analysis. Guilt by ommission is quite a easy conclusion to reach