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One has come to admire the way the Melbourne Storm have grown in to the NRL’s benchmark in a four year period which has seen them win two premierships in three seasons, thus leaving a significant Rugby League imprint in AFL mad Melbourne.
That is why one finds it difficult to understand why the club would risk destroying 11 years worth of hard work building a significant Rugby League fan base in Melbourne, just to grant $1.7 million to satisfy the greedy needs of a few NRL stars.
The likes of Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk have been the defining reasons why the Storm have managed to attain such a loyal following in a city ruled by the AFL.
It is astonishing to think that now; these very superstars of the NRL could be responsible for the demise of a club which was fast becoming the most successful in NRL history.
Indeed it is a great shame the rewards that come with playing Origin football, winning Premierships, playing in Test matches and winning Dally M medals, were not enough to satisfy the financial needs of a few players who were destined to become greats of the game.
But after arguably one of the blackest days in Australian sport, the Storm is sadly brewing on Melbourne’s future in the NRL.
The Canterbury Bulldogs found it difficult enough in 2002, after they were docked over 30 competition points that seemingly saw them surrender the stranglehold they had on the premiership.
What the Storm have to contend with here however may prove too difficult for time itself to mend.
In the space of a few hours on Thursday April 22, the Storm were stripped of their 2007 and 2009 premiership victories against Manly and Parramatta, and were also docked their three minor premierships in 2006, 07 and 08.
Furthermore, what looked a promising season 2010 has now been reduced to rabble, following the NRL’s decision to not only dock the eight competition points they had amassed this season, but to condemn the Storm as this year’s wooden spooners following their salary cap breach.
Whilst it is no secret the Storm will play on this season as arguably the most disgraced club in Australian sporting history, what of their future?
After endorsing and applauding the many inroads they made into the heart of Melbournians all over, one believes the Storm’s days are unfortunately numbered.
With the opening of their new ground, AAMI Park, just around the corner, fans will gain a significant insight on whether or not Rugby League in Melbourne is to ever flourish again.
Coupled with the imminent arrivals of new A-League and Super 15 clubs the Melbourne Heart and the Melbourne Rebels, the Storm face a David versus Goliath battle in terms of rebuilding the respect and success over a decade in the making.
Whilst David did beat Goliath, the odds stacked against the Storm in their bid to survive appear overwhelming.
Although the likes of Slater, Smith, Inglis and Cronk may go on to play for other clubs or fly overseas, the fans themselves have been dealt a cruel blow by the very club that thrived off their hard earned cash.
All those that have secured a Storm membership package over the past few seasons should be feeling downright violated and should have the right to demand the many refunds the club ought to repay to their suffering supporters.
Indeed the Storm has spat on Rugby League’s true life-force and unfortunately for them, the price they will pay will result in the death of not only the club, but Rugby League in general down south.