We are ashamed...We are still here

[Fein]

^^^^

Seriously, STFU.

You've goosed yourself massively.

 

[t-ba]

Gutted. I feel robbed that we didn't have the chance to compete for 2007 and 2009 on a level playing field. Knocked out by cheaters on both occasions, wondering what could have been. I'd rather not get the '07 title with an asterisk on it.

Let this serve as a cautionary tale to all.

Don't lose heart Melbourne fans. Though self inflicted in your instance, every club goes through dark days. I wear it as a badge of pride that I had season tickets in my clubs darkest days, and the sweetness of 2008 was made all the better by having sat through the nadir of my club. I can only hope that Melbourne will come back better from this.

 

[Noa]

and even if they do win more games than anyone else it will only be because they are $700k over the cap, f**king cheating merkins, they should be kicked out for good

Good point.

A team over the cap is going to have a massive influence on who makes the 8.

NRL really should have allowed us to release players, go under the cap and start from -4

 

[Raul_Pato]

I feel sorry for you storm fans but what did you expect, no other club could have such a long period of success in the salary cap age without cheating.

You should have realised that the only way a souless scum club such as the storm could survive was by cheating, which must have been allowed by News. Rugby league should look after its real fans in Sydney rather than trying to close our clubs and promote cheats like Melbourne and the rest...Titans...

 

[Yosh]

I am a Melbourne Storm fan, I am gutted, I am ashamed, I am empty, I am furious, I am cut for every innocent player, member and opposition fan that feels ripped off, I am not a bandwagon fan, I am still a fan.

Every person guilty should be fired. We the fans should not be punished which is what is happening with not being able to acrue points.

I don't follow the team simply because they have been good, or because of a jersey but because players no matter where they come from have represented Victoria and Melbourne. They have represented me. I follow Melbourne because players have bled not for money but because of pride.

I follow Melbourne because I love Rugby League and they play a game that has caught me.

EDIT: f**k... Wrote a really nice post but got Database Errored...

Hey bro you as a loyal fan have done nothing wrong and have absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. I know it pales in comparison but I've been a fan since the early 2000s however only became a true supporter in 2005 when we lost 13 in a row. We went on to win the spoon that year but I could not have been more proud of the boys. I think we just had a terrible run with injuries, luck, coach etc but loved watching them come out and try their heart out. I still remember when we won our first game after the streak and really it bought tears to my eyes.

I think every club goes through hard times (and I know my example seems terriblely insignificant) but trust me Melbourne will come back stronger than ever before you know it. It is a shame some greedy f**kers had to ruin everything but I am sure they'll be bought to justice.

I dunno what I'm about to say next is true or not but I think even though the rest of the year won't mean much in terms of competition points etc I am sure if true supporters like youself still turn out week in week out to support the team they'll the players will still give it their all and will love stopping other teams accumlating their 2 points. I think it'd be most unfair to the innocent players/people involved if everyone stopped supporting them and realisitcally if it wasn't for the loyal and fantastic Storm supporters like yourself, Rugby League would cease to exist down there in Melbourne.

To conclude I'd like to say that I probably haven't made much sense and I can only emphatise (or is it sympathise?) with you but as a supporter of the greatest game of all; keep your head up and march on!!!

 

[Cumberland Throw]

On a positive note NRL just made front page of Adelaide Advertiser for 1st time in history

 

[TimmyB]

Well done to the original poster.

I can't imagine what Storm fans are going through. Would absolutely rip my heart out if I were in their position; it's a totally different situation to any previous salary cap scandal.

I hope the fans can hang in therwe. The Dogs have shown how quickly the rot can be excised and a club restored if the fans stick solid.

 

[philstorm]

Where do we go from here?

After years of supporting the club, thousands of dollars spent on merchandise, tickets, GF accom, whatever, it's all for nothing.

All for nothing.

 

[winnyason]

I am a eagles fan i do not want the 2007 title what a clayton's title, we where flogged then got our own back in 2008. Hearing parra fans moan please get a life, before i comment on there future is the salary cap a valid work practise.
Onto the storm i have grave concerns but do we walk away no f**king way, for bears fans, png perth or whatever new side the melbourne market is needed to get the predicted bumper tv deal and get new sides and the trouble is you get these idiots with heads in the sand saying kick them out if WE stay in sydney and brisbane to grow, this is the problem with the superleague in the other side of world saying kick catalans, london, welsh crusaders or ignore toulouse but the game needs to expand or it will die period that is it.

Maybe relocate storm to perth let's see how season pans out

I game is great but WE NEED TO EXPAND OR WE WILL DIE.

 

[Rudderriffic]

Instead of a $500k fine they should have made the Storm let fans in for free for every game and refunded ticketed members for this season.

Awesome idea. Shame the NRL couldn't think of something a little creative such as this. I can only imagine what the crowd figures and TV ratings will look like for the remainder of the season in Melbourne.

As a fan, and a Newcastle fan at that, during the beginings of every season I always have this ardent hope that my team will factor come semi final time, regardless of the useless merkins who fill the mighty Red and Blue jerseys. The Storm fans have had that stolen from them by a bunch of idiot executives and greedy players, and that is an absoloute tradgedy. Have got to feel sorry for all Melbourne fans, as well as Storm players or employees that did have any knowledge of this.

All in all, terrible day for Rugby League. Amazing how the administers of our great game, at both a club and league level, are able to alienate region, after region.

 

[Chook Norris]

I hate the storm, I want the Storm to lose in every game they play. I would be happy to see them get flogged by 50 every week. But I dont want to see this. Season ruined by stupid off the field sh*t, great memories for the fans, destroyed by selfish f**kwits.

It makes me angry in so many ways. It makes me angry that my team was cheated out of any chance of competing for the 07, 08 and 09 premierships. It makes me angry that the short sightedness of a few assholes will probably ruin rugby league in victoria, thus cheapening rugby leagues tv deal and losing sponsorship as well as fans.
It makes me angry that the fans of the Storm have been treated this way. It makes me angry that Smith, Inglis, Slater & Cronk will all be underdone for Origin, thus probably giving the title to nsw. It just sucks.

this sums up everything i feel at the moment. It infuriates me that the actions of a few selfish individuals have had such severe implications for the club and more specifically, the game. The fans are the one's i fear for most. Unfortunately, i think it's now inevitable that the Storm will fold. All that hard work underdone..

 

[nqcowboy87]

i hope that the nrl takes points off them but allows them to accumulate points, imagine the motivation that would give you to see if you can break even on points, fater starting in the red, if they dont i hope the players dig in

 

[ByRd]

I can sort of understand what you Storm fans are going through cause of the Dogs in 2002. That was the worst news i have heard but i cant imagine what you guys are going through as you had titles stripped etc. It is not a good feeling but all i can say is just stick by your and keep supporting the team, it is difficult but you guys will come through no matter how hard it is.

 

[joshreading]

Where do we go from here?

After years of supporting the club, thousands of dollars spent on merchandise, tickets, GF accom, whatever, it's all for nothing.

All for nothing.

Not for nothing. For the joys, for the pain, for the journey.

When we beat the Warriors just because it is the right thing to do. When we knock teams out of the eight and they are bitter even though we can't make it. It will bring some joy.

When we play our first game next year, and win and gain 2 points. We will be back and they will fear us again

 

[Knightmare]

Gutted. I feel robbed that we didn't have the chance to compete for 2007 and 2009 on a level playing field. Knocked out by cheaters on both occasions, wondering what could have been. I'd rather not get the '07 title with an asterisk on it.

Let this serve as a cautionary tale to all.

Don't lose heart Melbourne fans. Though self inflicted in your instance, every club goes through dark days. I wear it as a badge of pride that I had season tickets in my clubs darkest days, and the sweetness of 2008 was made all the better by having sat through the nadir of my club. I can only hope that Melbourne will come back better from this.

You speak truth there. I have been there first hand to see my club be officially crowned the greatest NRL side in the land. I have also been there first hand to see my club get beaten by 50 and 60 points- away from home. It puts everything in perspective, and if it was the Knights going through this crisis I would be very angry (as if Wicks and Houston's actions weren't enough) but I would still support the team in the end, whatever happened. You get through times like these and you smile about it one day.

 

[Chook Norris]

Not for nothing. For the joys, for the pain, for the journey.

When we beat the Warriors just because it is the right thing to do. When we knock teams out of the eight and they are bitter even though we can't make it. It will bring some joy.

When we play our first game next year, and win and gain 2 points. We will be back and they will fear us again

yes yes! that's the spirit ;-)

just don't win against us thx..

 

[t-ba]

I think it oddly fitting that the Storm's final match before this was a loss to probably their most persistent rival during this era.

 

[Hanscholo]

I am a Melbourne Storm fan, I am gutted, I am ashamed, I am empty, I am furious, I am cut for every innocent player, member and opposition fan that feels ripped off, I am not a bandwagon fan, I am still a fan.

Every person guilty should be fired. We the fans should not be punished which is what is happening with not being able to acrue points.

I don't follow the team simply because they have been good, or because of a jersey but because players no matter where they come from have represented Victoria and Melbourne. They have represented me. I follow Melbourne because players have bled not for money but because of pride.

I follow Melbourne because I love Rugby League and they play a game that has caught me.

Things must change, significant things but this won't.

I am a Melbourne Storm Rugby League Football Club fan!!!

I have not become a member this year because I thought the Interstate Membership was a rip off. I still think that is the case but I will be signing back on later tonight.

Best wishes to you and all Melbourne supporters tonight mate. Having been thru seemingly endless controversy with my own club i can empathise with you all.

I honestly hope the club is able to root out the problems and get on with it. I guess there are a multitude of issues that come out of this, but in six months time id still like there to be a melbourne storm, as much as their obvious advantages over the last ten years by being not only being underwritten by news but also as it turns out defrauding their parent of large sums of money to cheat...that aside I think with some time and some healing things can get back to normal.

I guess in the near term, the best thing to hope for is that they dont hang Bellamy out to dry for this. If they keep him, then im pretty sure morale will be ok long term, and the side will get back to playing competative football - on equal terms with the rest of us, which to be honest was what i wanted, its sad it had to happen this way though, for all of us.

 

[TheRam]

Everything the club stood for is tainted as far as i am concerned. 5 Seasons of supporting the storm has now been ruined.

Im not sure what i will do now but i don't think i could ever support the club again. I will try and continue to support the game because i love the sport and i don't want to let this ruin that for me.

Mate for you and every other Storm supporter, I believe that this would feel like a death in the family has occurred. I know that it would feel like that if it happened to my Parramatta. Well all I can suggest is to just stand strong and wait it out. As time moves on the pain will always be there but will eventually fade to a bearable level, just like when someone we care for passes away.

For the record I also feel gutted for all the Storm supporters and for the game itself. This is absolutely tragic news for Rugby League in Victoria, and also it will impact the next TV rights deal in a negative way for sure if we were to lose the Storm from Melbourne.

Please don't give up on your team for the sake of a handful of crooks. If all Storm supporters stick solid and continue their support of the team I am sure that you will rise from this debacle a stronger club at every level, just look at how the Bulldogs have re-jigged them selves after all their shenanigans.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Good luck to Strom fans. Hartigan insisted that they will rebuild the club. Ironic that News Ltd is now needed more than ever. Maybe even for the first time.

It was a day that defied belief really. Surreal in the most surreal of ways.

Strom fans are going to cop a lot of sh*t, but stick solid.

Good luck.