The consequences of a successful Storm legal challenge

[The EELiminator]

So the Storm fans aren't victims as well? I've spend thousands of dollars on memberships and flights/accomodation supporting my club. I've been to Sydney for the last 3 GF's and spent plenty to watch us 'win' premierships that supposedly no longer count. Pretty sh*t situation that us as fans had no control over, and subsequently should not be punished for. Charge/sue the directors involved (and perhaps even any coaches or players if that comes to light), take away our minor premierships, keep us playing for 0 points this season, but the flags should stay - especially the first when we weren't that far over the cap....

of course you are victims too mate

as for taking the premierships away i think a line had to be drawn in the sand otherwise whats to stop someone else cheating the cap if you can win a premiership who cares about a fine afterwards
but if you know at any point in the future you get caught then your name will be struck from the record books it makes the whole thing kind of futile really whats the point of cheating if you dont keep the rewards?

 

[stormbati]

The 95% of victim's are the fans of the other NRL clubs who were defrauded of success as a result of the diabolical 'cheating' by the Melbourne Storm. We should not forget that.

I think it is pathetic the way the Melbourne Storm, the club, the high profile players, the coaching staff in particular Craig Bellamy, and certain directors want to portray themselves as the 'victims' in this debacle.

It is pathetic. Nothing more nothing less. No apology. No humility. No acceptance about the wrongs that were perpatrated on the NRL and the other clubs in the competition.

The legal challenge is a disgrace. The Melbourne Storm are an embarassment. The players and coaching staff who portray themselves as 'victims' in this sorry saga are an even worse disgrace in my opinion.

Why should the players and coach apologise if they did nothing wrong?

 

[petetheileet]

They shouldn't because it wouldn't be legitimate because that would be too classy for them!

 

[spartan2153]

I am sure there is a signed agreement saying they agree to participate in a nrl competition & to there guidelines.

To put it bluntly who gives a rats ass how much money you spent travelling to grand finals & games. You do realise that if they did not cheat they dont win those premierships. Wake up & realise they agreed to play by the nrl's guidelines & chose to ignore there rules.

 

[The EELiminator]

You do realise that if they did not cheat they dont win those premierships.

impossible to say really who knows what players they might have let go but they have always been a competitive side
i know they would have still been in the semis somewhere maybe top 6 rather than top 4 they could still have won a premiership i doubt two though

 

[Kilkenny]

So the Storm fans aren't victims as well? I've spend thousands of dollars on memberships and flights/accomodation supporting my club. I've been to Sydney for the last 3 GF's and spent plenty to watch us 'win' premierships that supposedly no longer count. Pretty sh*t situation that us as fans had no control over, and subsequently should not be punished for. Charge/sue the directors involved (and perhaps even any coaches or players if that comes to light), take away our minor premierships, keep us playing for 0 points this season, but the flags should stay - especially the first when we weren't that far over the cap....

The Storms fan are victim's to a certain degreee. You spent your money enjoying three Grand Finals because your club cheated. You would not have been in Sydney had your club not cheated, you goose. When are you guys going to get a grip on reality. The club you support are guilty of the most despicable act of cheating imaginable and you only won on the day (GF) because you 'cheated'. You would not have won otherwise, you would not have been in Sydney. You would have been in Melbourne watching two other sides competing for the NRL trophy who were not cheating. The Melbourne Storm are frauds and do not deserve any sympathy in my opinion.

 

[Kilkenny]

Why should the players and coach apologise if they did nothing wrong?

Yeah well I am 49 years of age I still believe in Santa Claus, the tooth fairy and Forest Gump. No one truly believes in the 'I didn't know' we can recruit Clint Newton and Brett Finch mid season with our existing playing roster and we are still under the salary cap theory. Get a grip, everyone including Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy knew you guys were 'cheating' it was just no one was prepared to deal with the issue until you got 'caught.' You finally got caught. The whole I feel sorry for the Melbourne Storm let them play for points is a disgrace. I am not in the must have Melbourne Storm in the competition for the better good of the NRL brigade. You cheated in the worse possible way and you should be banished from the NRL forever and your franchise should be relocated to the Central Coast. Good riddance.

 

[bileduct]

Pretty sh*t situation that us as fans had no control over, and subsequently should not be punished for.

You do have control over the situation, as there are 15 teams out there that have not been determined to be cheating.

Start supporting one of them, or support the Cheats.

You are in control and it's your choice.

 

[brad_19]

The Storms fan are victim's to a certain degreee. You spent your money enjoying three Grand Finals because your club cheated. You would not have been in Sydney had your club not cheated, you goose. When are you guys going to get a grip on reality. The club you support are guilty of the most despicable act of cheating imaginable and you only won on the day (GF) because you 'cheated'. You would not have won otherwise, you would not have been in Sydney. You would have been in Melbourne watching two other sides competing for the NRL trophy who were not cheating. The Melbourne Storm are frauds and do not deserve any sympathy in my opinion.

Goose?? Is that the best you can come up with? Why is it that the people on this board always resort to pathetic, childish mud-slinging.

For the record, I have a firm grasp on reality, and I am firmly aware of the extent of my clubs cheating. The fact is, hindsight is a wonderful tool, and had I known at the time what was occuring, I more then likely would not have supported the side and I subsequently would have saved my money and stayed at home. The fact is, due to dishonesty from the crooked board at the football club in that period, the supporters were misled and as a result, thousands of dollars have gone down the drain for something which has been removed from the record books. Cheating or no cheating, I'm definately not impressed by the result, no more then you would be if it happened to your club. And I personally feel, and it's my opinion that I have a right to express, that the supporters should not be the ones punished for the pathetic, and in my view, illegal, activities that were occuring amongst the senior officials at the club. Call me a goose all you like, but that's my view and I'm sticking to it. It's all too easy to criticise when your standing on the outside, but when your a stakeholder of the club affected, it effects you emotionally in many ways you will never understand.

 

[brad_19]

You do have control over the situation, as there are 15 teams out there that have not been determined to be cheating.

Start supporting one of them, or support the Cheats.

You are in control and it's your choice.

Not going to happen. Most of the weeds from the official ranks have been removed and its time to start afresh. I'm somewhat excited about what the future has in store, I've never supported the Storm while we've been cellar-dwellers. I started getting on board around 2005-06 and have only ever seen the side being successful. I'm more then happy to be there during the tough times as well. Also, I could never support a side playing Melbourne, given that the club represents my city and state. I just wouldn't have the same level of attachment to any of the other 15 clubs.

 

[Jatz Crackers]

I have empathy for those storm fans who have publicly acknowledged that the club has cheated and that as fans of that club they unreservedly regret what the storm club has done.

I hold no empathy for those storm fans who will not acknowledge that or defy or ignore the truth of the scandal.

But having said all of that, nothing will propel this whole sordid business to an acceptable point until the precise involvement of ALL people (club officials/coach/fans/players/owners of betting tickets) has been identified & the necessary actions taken against them.

A corrupt culture cannot be removed without a cleanout of the board and the club as a minimum starting point.

 

[Keysee]

I have empathy for those storm fans who have publicly acknowledged that the club has cheated and that as fans of that club they unreservedly regret what the storm club has done.

I hold no empathy for those storm fans who will not acknowledge that or defy or ignore the truth of the scandal.

But having said all of that, nothing will propel this whole sordid business to an acceptable point until the precise involvement of ALL people (club officials/coach/fans/players/owners of betting tickets) has been identified & the necessary actions taken against them.

A corrupt culture cannot be removed without a cleanout of the board and the club as a minimum starting point.

Fair assessment of the situation except I dont see where fans come into the equation. I would look at club sponsors and NRL sponsors input first.

I think the other thing that needs to happen is for News Ltd to sell off the Storm and possibly Broncos to remove the conflict of interest that has dogged this issue.

Has been very interesting to read the "balance" between News Ltd and Fairfax papers, also the spin of FOX Sports News.

Lastly, I assume the NRL has this as some priority, but the time taken until now shows that Schuberts 2 man band is not enough to oversee the salary cap for the league.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Goose?? Is that the best you can come up with? Why is it that the people on this board always resort to pathetic, childish mud-slinging.

For the record, I have a firm grasp on reality, and I am firmly aware of the extent of my clubs cheating. The fact is, hindsight is a wonderful tool, and had I known at the time what was occuring, I more then likely would not have supported the side and I subsequently would have saved my money and stayed at home. The fact is, due to dishonesty from the crooked board at the football club in that period, the supporters were misled and as a result, thousands of dollars have gone down the drain for something which has been removed from the record books. Cheating or no cheating, I'm definately not impressed by the result, no more then you would be if it happened to your club. And I personally feel, and it's my opinion that I have a right to express, that the supporters should not be the ones punished for the pathetic, and in my view, illegal, activities that were occuring amongst the senior officials at the club. Call me a goose all you like, but that's my view and I'm sticking to it. It's all too easy to criticise when your standing on the outside, but when your a stakeholder of the club affected, it effects you emotionally in many ways you will never understand.

You really should rally up some support from all the other people in a similar situation to yourself, and launch a joint lawsuit against the Storm for your expenses.

Frankly they caused you to spend money supporting them through fraud (ie, pretending that they could win a premiership, when in reality they could not since they were cheating) - so you'd have a pretty good case.

Of course, if you want to support the club in the future, then this isn't the greatest idea ever... they'll be gone if they have to repay 5 years worth of seasons tickets, transport to games etc etc. Or, at worst, the legal fees defending themselves would be a nightmare...

 

[little_aza]

You do have control over the situation, as there are 15 teams out there that have not been determined to be cheating.

Start supporting one of them, or support the Cheats.

You are in control and it's your choice.

Us fans actually DIDN'T have control over the situation - I think you'll find it was Waldron who gave the paper bags.

So you'd quit if your team's administration was breaking the rules? If Doust (assuming you're a St Geroge fan) was giving envelopes to Soward after games, you'd jump ship and start supporting Cronulla?

I have no respect for ex-Storm fans. But the utmost respect for those who are going through what I'm going through: a determination to not let this get in the way of the passion we for our club.

 

[dollyhands]

Fair assessment of the situation except I dont see where fans come into the equation. I would look at club sponsors and NRL sponsors input first.

I think the other thing that needs to happen is for News Ltd to sell off the Storm and possibly Broncos to remove the conflict of interest that has dogged this issue.

Has been very interesting to read the "balance" between News Ltd and Fairfax papers, also the spin of FOX Sports News.

Lastly, I assume the NRL has this as some priority, but the time taken until now shows that Schuberts 2 man band is not enough to oversee the salary cap for the league.

troll alert

 

[simostorm]

You do have control over the situation, as there are 15 teams out there that have not been determined to be cheating.

Start supporting one of them, or support the Cheats.

You are in control and it's your choice.

If your team was in the same situation as the Storm, your saying you would stop supporting your club and support another club.

What a pathetic piece of garbage you are.

Good times and Bad times.. always there. But you.. pfft.. Piece of garbage.

 

[The EELiminator]

You really should rally up some support from all the other people in a similar situation to yourself, and launch a joint lawsuit against the Storm for your expenses.

Frankly they caused you to spend money supporting them through fraud (ie, pretending that they could win a premiership, when in reality they could not since they were cheating) - so you'd have a pretty good case.

Of course, if you want to support the club in the future, then this isn't the greatest idea ever... they'll be gone if they have to repay 5 years worth of seasons tickets, transport to games etc etc. Or, at worst, the legal fees defending themselves would be a nightmare...

not the storm, sue waldron he has been implied to be the instigator of the scandal so get that fat f**k in court to face the consequences of his actions, go for pain and suffering due to watching your team play for nothing this year, point out all the money you spent on premiers gear thats now basically worthless etc etc etc sue him until his ears bleed

 

[dollyhands]

not the storm, sue waldron he has been implied to be the instigator of the scandal so get that fat f**k in court to face the consequences of his actions, go for pain and suffering due to watching your team play for nothing this year, point out all the money you spent on premiers gear thats now basically worthless etc etc etc sue him until his ears bleed

Hope the court gives the Storms points back the week before the finals start so the NRL is rooted:lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

[The EELiminator]

Hope the court gives the Storms points back the week before the finals start so the NRL is rooted:lol::lol::lol::lol:

if they do i hope every team named to play them in the finals series forfeits give them another claytons title to go with the other two