The history of the NRL is marked by moments where a single event has drastically altered the future of players, clubs, administrations and fans alike.
The purpose of this article is to theorise what the NRL landscape would be like if one its biggest scandals never saw the light of day – the 2010 Melbourne Storm salary cap rort.
There is no malice or sledging intended with this article it is simply an exercise to see how the NRL would have unfolded over the last decade in this alternate history.
How this drama unfolded began with a single whistle-blower informing the NRL that the Storm were keeping a second set of books. The NRL began their investigation and continued through 2009 and 2010.
This investigation subsequently led to the Storm’s confession of systematic breaches of the salary cap by running a well-organised dual contract and bookkeeping system. This left the NRL ignorant of $3.78 million in payments made to players outside of the salary cap.
Premierships were stripped, points were lost and players were shed to get the Storm salary cap compliant in the 2011 season.
For this alternate history to occur it could simply be a case of this whistle-blower never coming forward, from there the investigation never occurred and the storm avoided the penalties imposed on them.
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
If this scenario was to occur some of the key consequences of this History are as follows.
Greg Inglis remains at the Storm
The investigation revealed that four players were the main if not sole beneficiaries of these payments (Inglis, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and one other unnamed player) at the time. To this day there has been no evidence that they were aware that these payments were unlawful.
With the penalties not enforced, the Storm do not need to shed players and Inglis (whose departure greatly reduced the salary cap pressure) was able to remain at the club as opposed to signing with Souths. He would continue to be part of the spine along with Cronk, Slater, and Smith.
The team is largely unchanged due to Bellamy’s ability to build a team around a core of superstar players, with the remainder of the team as a supporting role.
Storm play in seven straight grand finals
With Inglis still in the team and without the distraction and loss of points in the 2010 season, the Storm are able to finish second on the NRL ladder. The Sea Eagles, who were eighth, miss out.
In the first week they are able to beat the Sydney Roosters (eliminating them from the finals) and go on to take their place in the grand final after eliminating the Gold Coast in the preliminary finals.
In 2011 despite a spirited Warriors performance, they are able to beat them in the preliminary final and for the third time face off against Manly in a grand final.
Due to the calibre of the 2010 Dragons and the 2011 Sea Eagles it is impossible to determine who would have come out on top.
In 2012 the season is largely the same with the Storm powering over the Bulldogs in the grand final to secure the premiership.
This run of seven straight grand finals sees them as arguably as one of the greatest NRL teams in history and puts them on par with the dragons of the ’50s and ’60s who won 11 straight premiership but in a time when there was no salary cap.
Souths premiership drought continues at the Roosters expense – and maybe the Sharks as well
With Greg Inglis never joining South Sydney this leaves a significant whole in the South Sydney attack, despite a powerhouse forward pack they struggle to put away top teams.
After falling one game short in 2013 with a loss to Manly they suffer the same heartbreak a year later. With the Roosters jumping out to an early lead and without Inglis in the backline the Rabbitohs fall just short in the preliminary final with the Roosters going on to beat the bulldogs in the grand final.
This win avenges the Roosters GF loss to the Bulldogs in 2004 and they become the first team to go back to back since the Broncos of 1997-98.
Sam Burgess still goes to rugby union for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, he returns to Souths but with Inglis not on their books they are able to retain players like Issac Luke and Dylan Walker, despite still chasing their elusive title the team is sitting comfortably positioned in the top eight and poised for another finals appearance in 2017.
In relation to the Sharks, the 2016 grand final is played out between the same two teams and like 2010 and 2011 it is impossible to predict who comes out on top.
Punters still able to bet on wooden spoon teams
A silver lining for a few punters was that at the time of the scandal the Melbourne Storm were $4.20 to win the title and $251 to receive the wooden spoon. Some punters with good contacts were able to bet on the Storm to receive the wooden spoon before it became common knowledge.
TAB claimed that at least $500,000 was paid out before betting was suspended.
(AAP Image/David Mariuz)
To this day can no longer bet on wooden spoon only for which team to lose the most games.
Brian Waldron remains at the Melbourne Rebels (or Storm)
Brian Waldron resigned six weeks into his tenure at the Melbourne Rebels due to the scandal, whether he left prior to because of the scandal or whether it was unrelated is hard to determine.
If Waldron went to the Rebels, Super Rugby wasn’t held to a salary cap (at least the Australian teams) until 2011, however there was talk of it in 2010.
With Waldron’s alleged expertise and given the Rebels is privately owned, from 2010 onwards Waldron incorporates the same system with the Melbourne Rebels and in a matter of years the Rebels have managed to attract top Australian players along with international stars to the franchise.
This makes it significantly more competitive and in the preceding years is seen as the preeminent Australian Super Rugby franchise – an example of the benefits of private ownership for the Super Rugby clubs.
It’s amazing how events can change the course of history and always enjoyable to theorise what might have been.
PHIL Jackson
Guest
The Melbourne Storm are to Rugby League what Lance Armstrong was to Cycling
Wild Eagle
Guest
Society has this amazingly bad way of treating people like Brett Stewart who are wrongly accused of something. Not only is there the trauma of the false accusation and the public humiliation but there the silence that 'greets' the truth is disgraceful. There would be endless people out there with the fake news still rattling around in their heads. To be honest as a manly fan I hated what Manly did to Wests back in the 70's , it was my least favorite period as a Manly fan and is a reminder of how crucial the salary cap is. Although buying all the best players from your club was legal I would have liked Wests to carry on and challenge for a title without getting mauled. The Manly titles with Snake and co are easily the clubs best achievement because it was done under great disadvantage. For a short period Manly didn't exist and Souths came back with first pick of the 'talent'.
Mad Magpie Rob
Guest
And so say all of us sir....
Mad Magpie Rob
Guest
Now you've really fired me up. People should have lost their jobs over how badly that was mismanaged and how a completely innocent man had his good name dragged through a quagmire.When you know the truth and how the father of the girl set it all up, yes, I think a march not just by the Manly faithful but all of the RL royalty and leaders including and not limited to the CEO of the NRL. I'm no Manly fan, my blood is black and white and I eat Fibro for breakfast, but what's right is right. I think the NRL panders too much to the press, the vocal minority, the clubs, the players and all and sundry. Don't even start me on ASADA and the blackest day in Australian sport. The AFL is gaining ground as as other codes, our grass roots are starting to fade, and players are illegitimately screaming for obscene and undeserved pay rises. The refs and the bunker are a joke. What happened at Melbourne and what happened to Stewart are clear signs the game is run by amateurs. And the next time an ex player gives his opinion on how the NRL should be run, a major business concern, I'll scream. They're footballers, not qualified business professionals. I just wish John Quale would take the job of running the game again, or someone of his ilk, then I think you'd see some real action.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Fortunately for us all this site is the best source of information regarding league, getting burnt is a lesson for all on the roar.
terrence
Guest
Cheers TS. Unfortunately, the last part of my feedback to the writer about making up info on the run to support a poor thesis was edited out (not the first time). I suggested credibility in future articles/posts were at risk with readers. Had to take a snap of the screen again of this to go with my previous screen shot with the edited out information to the now discredited S T Ruggling. Sad, but they'll be out there shortly on another site. I'm not sure why theroar are so keen to censor facts and advice to authors that make it up on the run. The whole site then loses credibility.
Jock Cornet
Guest
The salary cap never applies to the storm, broncos , Roosters and Dogs. The big bad Brown paper envelopes reign supreme.
The Spectator
Guest
Mel v Manly 07 GF, half time score Mel 10 manly 4, less then 10 mins in 2nd half, Croker and slater illegally take out B Stewart, Mel win 38-10 I think, so Mel take Manly best player out to win 07 with a side how much over the cap, then 08, half the storms overs by taking Smith out so it's only a 1 mill over the cap side and snake playing, 40-0, Manly, and I'm insane!
The Spectator
Guest
Nice T.
Wild Eagle
Guest
I'm with you on that defiant united march by the Storm players, it was ridiculous. That type of unity may have been more appropriate when Brett Stewarts name was completely cleared by the courts and a march around Brookie oval by the players in support could have made it clearer to the dopes that he had done nothing wrong.
terrence
Guest
I'm not sure many players in the ISC at Brisbane Norths Devils would like being called juniors. Go and check next weekend when they play South Logan at home.
Mad Magpie Rob
Guest
Even speculating on this is infuriating. The "what if" scenario presented is at the very least an indication of how pathetic the NRL management are in how they administer the game. If not for the whistle blower, the speculation would have been history. The day the playing squad made that united march onto the football field for the press conference was a slap in the face of every single football fan, including the Storm fans. Melbourne have made it an art playing on the edges of the rules and were caught playing outside of the rules in this instance. The type of play, wrestling, and slowing down tactics that they have introduced into our game are disgusting. The NRL as a priority MUST address this within the rules and effort via the referees. Cameron Smith is a grub of a player, and a master of manipulation of the refs. Winning at all costs and gamesmanship is his badge of honour. Now with the latest player unrest for more money, he stands at the forefront. You mean to seriously tell me when the big four were negotiating their own personal contracts and player payment arrangements that they literally had no idea or inkling that “hey, I’m getting buckets of money, wonder what the other fellas are getting?” Tell me another one.
Ken
Guest
These people have no idea the depth coming thru the storms juniors lol , their nightmare is never gonna end lol
S T Ruggling
Roar Pro
Soooo... they did play juniors together? Sure the roar will be terrified with your dumping
terrence
Guest
S T R, that's rubbish. Cronk was a St Laurence lad (south Brisbane) who played rugby. Smith was from Logan and played league for Logan Brothers. Smith started with the Storm full-time in 2002 (19yo, primarily playing for ((Brisbane) North Devils)), but had the full season in 2003 with the Storm. Cronk joined the Storm in 2002 (19yo, primarily playing for North Devils) but had the full season in 2006 with the Storm, post Matt Orford moving to Manly (remember he captained to 40-0 win against the cheats in 2007). At best, they both played at North Devils (Storm feeder team then) for a year, 2002, but Cronk didn't play a great deal of first grade for North Devils in 2002 as he was going through the grades. At best, they played a half a season at the Devils together in 2002, hardly "juniors" together. Please check basic facts before posting inaccuracies to support your arguments. Why am I always correcting Roar folk with the deluded titles like "Pro", "Guru" or, ahem, "Rookie". Should "The Roar" downgrade their status with every factual error. PS. The Roar, has been screen dumped with S T Ruggling's inaccurate post. Don't censor me again for factual statements or the screen dump will appear on a range of competitor sites. Thanks.
terrence
Guest
And after reading it it should be re-titled "Duncan Smith still in denial that the team he supports were systematic cheats like Lance Armstrong and here's why""
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Match fixing claims hold no water. I've been saying that here for a year. Seems as though the police agree
S T Ruggling
Roar Pro
If the NRL abandoned the salary cap within a few years at least three or four teams would go under. Dont think NRL would be too fussed if one team wen t other as it would give them the chance to relocate a side but removing the salary cap would cause too much chaos
S T Ruggling
Roar Pro
Manlys saving grace is that it could be more for match fixing not salary cap rorting hence why the police are involved. If it is the case police and NRL will go after individuals as opposed to clubs
terrence
Guest
Yes Craig, the 28-0 win by the Storm over the Sharks was the first of Smith's two game suspension for trying to use Sam Thaiday's head as bottle cap on a twist-top. I thought the suspension was fair, there was a big outcry in QLD over the tackle and he was called out instantly by the ref and put on report. He knew he was gone straight away, so did the Storm. There needs to be an incentive not to go out and mane other players. He did the crime, then did the time. The Storm game against the Storm was a team who knows how to win the big games against a team that struggles to. The following week was another story.