Melbourne Storm boss Ron Gauci says the NRL club is emerging from the salary cap debacle in better shape than he expected. Doomsayers predicted the demise of the Storm after it was revealed in April the club had been systematically rorting the salary cap between 2006 and 2010 to the tune of more than $3 million.
They were stripped of two premierships, all 2010 points and heavily fined, while two major sponsors, among others, immediately cut ties.
There was a mass exodus of players as the club moved to get under the salary cap, although they were able to retain all but one of their “fab four” star players, with only Greg Inglis moving on.
However, chief executive Gauci, who took over in July after the sacking of disgraced Matt Hanson, who had already replaced so-called “chief rat” Brian Waldron, says the future looks bright.
“The general perception from the outside was that the club was doomed, the playing roster was going to be decimated, and in fact there were those calling for the end of the Melbourne Storm, if not rugby league in Victoria,” Gauci said.
“If you look at the position we’re now in today, that’s a far cry removed from where people thought or maybe even hoped we’d be.
“It’s fair to say whilst we took a bit of a knock in April the reality is that the way that the players performed since and the way that the club has responded since if anything has earned a great deal of respect.
“I think the response has been better than I anticipated.”
Despite the wooden spoon status, the Storm finished the season with a 14-10 win-loss record, which was level with the fifth-placed Warriors.
Gauci believed this courage and commitment was key to their revival in 2011.
“They came out and put their bodies on the line and I think the fact that they won as many games this year as they did last year is a real credit to the players and the coach and the football operations department.
“It was very, very impressive.”
Gauci said 2010 membership and crowds actually topped the previous season and he expected a further rise next year, while the club was in discussions with a number of sponsors.
The NRL is still to finalise its report on the investigation into the cheating, however there’s no further action pending against Melbourne.
An investigation by Victoria Police Fraud Squad is deemed to be “ongoing”.
Gauci felt they had already moved on.
“The feeling is really quite positive, we’ve injected some new players and new coaches and dynamics has been really quite positive.
“I’ve been encouraged by the mood in the place, most people have commented that there’s that extra skip in everyone’s step.
“We can’t wait until the new year.”
raiders fan
Guest
i find it hard that the players have not been investigated more about the salary breaches, they all would have known about the extra money the same way we would if we had been paid more at our own jobs . I think the Melbourne storm wont have a chance of making the 8 this year.
Ian
Guest
And something Channel Nine in Melbourne will never understand.
mick h
Guest
they will if they demand nine or whoever show the storm and other games at a reasonable time. the swans get good tv coverage but ratings very poor so how is it such a huge benefit to sponsors and the afl. the problem with the last tv deal there were to many conflicts of interest and david gallop, he should have no say in the upcoming tv deals. put the game on nationally and add perth and cc bears lastest membership numbers 4704
SportsFanGC
Roar Guru
This is one of the reasons that RL will not get the mooted $1billion for their next TV deal. They dont want to televise the game outside of NSW/QLD at any reasonable hours and to this point they are not offering the broadcasters anything different that what has been on display for the past 5 years. It is also why they will probably not put a team in Perth but rather go for the CC Bears and CQ.
bilbo
Guest
Lets hope that the digital channels provide some salvation for Melbourne viewers.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I know there are people in Tasmania interested.Also saw Tasmanian rugby league results.Just goes to show,if given the opportunity there are people willing to play and/ or watch the game. I believe the NRL has been blasted enough for their puerile efforts in getting the game at a decent timeslot in non rugby league states,and will be pushing decent coverage.Without it,the code is standing still.
Stormybill
Guest
Do anything more ? What more could they do ? Short of disbanding the club there is nothing more to be gained from stiring the pot on this.The fact is the Storm have moved on and will be stronger for the hurt to fans and players alike. Only a matter of time before the club is at the top again and I think that is a bugbear for our northern friends.The way the Victorian public have rallied behind the Storm in the last 8 months is something Sydney teams will never get.
elbusto
Guest
As sure as might follows day League followers outside of QLD and NSW will be starved of footy viewing by Channel 9 and its pathetic NRL coverage. Could the NRL please consider us in the next TV deal? Friday night is a barren wasteland outside the Rugby League heartlands. There is no footy to be watched at all until after 11.30!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
No one knows what the "ongoing "investigative work of the police will drag up,so it is early days to discuss court .The ATO I would suggest is sniffing around,and they are not going to broadcast their activities to anyone on the Roar.The NRL has ripped off 2 G/F,fined the club a massive amount,meaning discarding some top line players,and the fans have been shafted. If that is under the carpet stuff,I am Liz Hurley's go to man.
Ian
Guest
One would have thought interest in Melbourne's return to compeditive rugby league in 2011 would be sufficent to at least get some decent coverage, yet Channel Nine won't be showing Free to Air coverage of any Melbourne games for the first eight rounds,
Red Rooster
Guest
So no one's going to court? Clearly to the casual observer the fallout would have been too great to actually do anything more. It will/has been pushed under the carpet - so dont bother writing any more articles about it