Think of a young footballer signed by the storm, nurtured by Craig Bellamy into a star. His life is in Melbourne.. his friends, his job, everything he is proud of. His success, failures, entire life experience linked to one thing; Rugby League. He is successful in this pursuit and forges memories and friendships that last a lifetime. This young man then finds out that the success was a fabrication. The memories are suddenly tainted, the success dissolved, the pride lost. Hopefully for Greg Inglis and others who fit this story line - the friendships last.
Think of an even younger footballer. Still not playing first grade but is touted as a future star of the club. Born and raised in country NSW - he leaves his friends and family behind to start a new life with the Melbourne Storm. Before he is given his shot at 1st grade - he is told that this club has nothing to play for in the near future, and further more is under criminal investigation. His future uncertain and his dreams crushed. Will he ever play in the NRL? For Dane Chisholm's sake, and many other young footballers in the Storm system who fit this story line, I hope they do.
All his memories tainted.
Think of the best of the bunch. Harder to sympathise with ... but still another sufferer. He captains his club, state and country but the club is what matters most. It's his job and he leads this club to 2 premierships. He is then told that these victories were essentially stolen from the mouths of others and not only are they taken from him ... he is told he didn't deserve them in the first place. Cameron Smith was on the path to rugby league immortality but his career will now forever be linked to a crime, where he is the victim.
Think of those who looked at Melbourne with envy and simply wanted what they have. Hungry for success, a struggling Sydney club found its way out of financial ruin and from the depths of the competition ladder to forge its own reputation of toughness, resilience and success. A club that reignited the support of a community and re-established its link to rugby league history. The Manly Sea Eagles would be the victim here ... and more so should be remembered as one of the great teams in recent history... but they won't. Their last game of the season for 3 years in a row was played against the Storm. Two losses and premiership victory to show for it. Should they have been the dynasty? Any other clubs fit this description?
The best talent money can buy.
Think of the look on Darren Lockyer's face after Brisbane's 2008 semi final loss to the Storm. The Broncos were attempting to send the icon of their club, Wayne Bennett, out on a high note and were beaten by a last minute try to Greg Inglis. Did they suffer after this loss? Absolutely. Watch this highlights package from Channel 9 of that match...
Have a look at the intensity of the encounter. The urgency of all 35 players, the desperate defence and the controversy, the violence and the emotion plastered all over their faces at the dramatic climax. Look at Lockyer's face... Did someone swindle him out of victory here? Yes. Look at the pain running through his whole body as he stands defeated, despondent and cheated.
Watch the celebration from the Storm players go on around him and join the suffering of so many as you, the fan, try and count the players that should not have been in a Melbourne uniform on this day. That's exactly what I did. We are all now jaded as league followers and will hope for the bitter taste to leave our tongues soon.
How many should never have been there?
Think of the state of the code. League has shat all over itself once again from a great height. The Melbourne Storm scandal differs to that of the Bulldogs drama from 2002. They are not just a team that had won 17 games in a row and were premiership favourites... this is The Team of the Decade and a dynasty to rival that of any in our game. The Storm were the benchmark and multiple grand final winners. They have players respected by children, adults and fellow footballers alike. Rugby League suffers again.
Think of Grand Final day. A special day for all league fans. Watching Melbourne take part in this day for the past 4 years has been a pleasure. We marvelled at their consistency and hated them for being so good. We questioned some of their tactics and cheered their valour at the same time. All for nothing... it was all a sham.
Who is still to suffer? The Melbourne Storm starting 17. What are they playing for after this strange punishment from the NRL? Every game in 2010 is now a waste of time and how would the other clubs approach these games? Storm players aiming for Origin will keep themselves in form and then play the series, but what then? There are predictions that some of them will get suspended intentionally. Others say Craig Bellamy will unite his side to let out their anger on the opposition. Either way this ruling by the NRL boggles the mind and has somehow added to the horror.
When will it end? Not soon... hopefully Grand Final day this year will help create new memories and here's hoping that we don't look at the eventual premiers with a doubtful eye. But how can we trust them? One scumbag in a suit shuffles around some numbers to make himself some money, and the ripple effect has caused the suffering of so many. How many young footballers did we just lose to AFL and union? How many Storm fans did we just lose in Melbourne? How much money has this cost us? How much pride? Watch the above video one more time and see Darren Lockyer being cheated and then try and guess how many others have suffered. Lost count? Me too.
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