Desert Qlder
First Grade
- Messages
- 9,997
Rugby league is a cruel game. If Munster’s lovely kick is collected true by Kamikamica, the Storm win. Munster’s a hero. Maybe even a Clive Churchill Medal contender (though Walsh might’ve still edged everyone else even in a losing side). But instead, the narrative flips. Suddenly, it’s about fading dominance and their legacy is under question.
The injuries to Howarth and McDonald were harsh too. Those setbacks were pretty big in the context of the game. But that’s the cruelty of the sport. The finest of margins separate glory from heartbreak, and history doesn’t always remember the context.
It's hilarious seeing fans of clubs like Manly and Brisbane bringing up the salary cap saga. Or fans of Newcastle with their club's known drug use to support success. As the game transitioned to professionalism, those big clubs were masters of bending (or outright ignoring) any rules. They hoarded talent with little scrutiny, and the playing field was anything but level. The Storm got caught in a later era of forensic auditing, and paid the price.
There’s a definite shift in how those stripped premierships are viewed. Broadcasters and even parts of the rugby league public seem to be quietly acknowledging them again whether it’s in graphics on Channel 9 or other discussions. The heavy-handed nature of stripping the titles is being questioned more and more. Some will say those teams did win those games, and the players did earn those accolades. Whether one likes that or not it is happening.
Melbourne Storm’s legacy is still elite.
The injuries to Howarth and McDonald were harsh too. Those setbacks were pretty big in the context of the game. But that’s the cruelty of the sport. The finest of margins separate glory from heartbreak, and history doesn’t always remember the context.
It's hilarious seeing fans of clubs like Manly and Brisbane bringing up the salary cap saga. Or fans of Newcastle with their club's known drug use to support success. As the game transitioned to professionalism, those big clubs were masters of bending (or outright ignoring) any rules. They hoarded talent with little scrutiny, and the playing field was anything but level. The Storm got caught in a later era of forensic auditing, and paid the price.
There’s a definite shift in how those stripped premierships are viewed. Broadcasters and even parts of the rugby league public seem to be quietly acknowledging them again whether it’s in graphics on Channel 9 or other discussions. The heavy-handed nature of stripping the titles is being questioned more and more. Some will say those teams did win those games, and the players did earn those accolades. Whether one likes that or not it is happening.
Melbourne Storm’s legacy is still elite.
