Who didn't what?

I repeat, there is only the Leeds Rhinos who were "cheated" out of the WCC prize money. Nobody else.

So, you pitch up at the Olympic Stadium in deepest Stratford for the 100 meters final in 2012 ....

You run a great race, but saldy only manage to finish second.

But, hang on, you spin your head around towards the jumbotron showing the action reply and find the bloke who has beaten you to first place did it not by running, but actually on the back of a pushbike.

And you'd be happy to accept that final result as it stands then ?

On the way back from Perpignan, I stopped in Paris and went to Stade Jean Bouin, where they held the France Vs England game last year.

It is home to Stade Francais, who were 'training' and of course, seeing the back line going through their paces I subsequently realised that one of them was probably Mark Gasnier.

It's bad enough not being able to wear the green & gold again, but having to play and train in PINK (well, OK, blue with pink trim) .....

That's like buying a Ferrari and using it as a taxi.

You didn't win the WCC.


You weren't cheated out of anything because you lost. Whether the club cheated or not, you lost to the team and it was the team that you played, not the club. I don't see why you should be awarded prize money when you didn't win the prize.

I think you are missing the point mate.

No one here is demanding the prize money and the club were straight out in saying we have no intention of trying to claim the trophy.

What is being debated is the fact that the NRL have stripped the Storm of all their domestic prize money and shared it out amongst all the other clubs.

that is we are assuming on the basis that Melbourne cheated all of the other teams out of points,places in the ladder,play off places,prize money etc etc as all teams were playing in the same domestic league.

The point for debate is therefore whether the WCC cash should be similarly divided up against the other teams involved in that competition,hence the reason why the RFL/NRL are looking into this and given Leeds were THE only other team competing in that particular competition (WCC) then if the powers that be decide Melbourne have to forfeit this cash then should it go to Leeds.

I think most Leeds fans don't want it or are not even bothered one way or the other,its just a point of principal really that has come to the table given what the NRL have done.

So calm down my friend. No one is demanding the title or even the cash but apparently the RFL/NRL are debating what should be done with it.

My vote would be give it to the RFL Benevolent fund

Then why do you think the prize money should be given to the lower leagues then?

It's clear your only opinion is that whatever happens Leeds shouldn't get the prize money. Bitter much?

Just listening to Sterling, Lewis and Gould criticising the NRL for denying Melbourne the opportunity to earn any competition points from this season.

The paid voices have found an angle of attack have they ?

I often wonder if the "studio experts" in any sport actually hold the opinions that they spout, or whether there is a voice in their ear telling them to "say something controversial" because they have another five minutes to fill, "Oh I agree with the NRL punishment" wouldn't really fill the gap would it ?

Has anyone stopped for a second and thought about the Storm’s supporters?

Imagine who you would feel if, after our run of recent success, you’d found out that our board had intentionally and systematically cheated to gain that success.

I think I’d feel as deflated and disappointed as possible and on top of that every other clubs supporters would be ripping into you. Your clubs name would be forever tarnished and the word “cheats” would be dragged up time and time again.

I do feel for the Storm’s fans right now, they have done nothing wrong but will have to bare the flack for ever more.

I'd be satisfied with nothing less than a new franchisee, otherwise I'd be out of there.

Apart from that other strange game that they play in Melbourne what would you do though ?

Gould in particular (as you might expect) was demanding Gallop stand on his head in the next 24 hours before it was too late.

His notion being that Melbourne reduce their playing roster from the discovered 5 million Aussie $'s to the permitted 4.2 million and play on this season (for competition points) after only losing the 8 they had so far gained from the opening 6 rounds.

The offloaded players would have their salaries for the remainder of the season payed in full by Melbourne and they could find other teams without it effecting those other teams respective cap spend in 2010.

Or something along those lines and no I don't think he had thought it through either.

The powers that be in Aussie don't mess about, Can you imagine what would happen if the woeful team at the bottom beat the only once beaten team at the top despite being 26-2 down at half time, think there might be a stewards don't you.
Still the team at the top is still top of a League (a league with no relegation) where one lucky bet wins you more than the prize money.
Wonder what odds Quins were at half time?

And what if the losing coach in that purely hypothetical scenario came from a disgraced NRL franchise. And what if something similar had already happened involving the same losing club earlier in the season.

The RFL would have to investigate/act ..... wouldn't they?

I bet this hypothetical senario would end up with an 8 point deduction being reduced to 4 on a technicality knowing the RFL

I know lads who have played the game at decent standard & still have connections within the game, not one of them is down on their bets this year, in fact i'm not but i'm a bit gutless & and don't part with as much stake money.

Its RFL your on about, They'd give them four points back in exchange for the stake money.

and the players claim they didnt know



[urlhttp://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/picture-proof-of-melbourne-storm-salary-cap-rort/story-e6frexnr-1225858542451[/url

Theres only an allowance of $150,000 at each club for players to earn money outside of club sponsors, yet he was given a boat, $20,000 voucher. Bunch of cheats....

Kearns turned down Leeds to become a $360,000 'office boy'

[urlhttp://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/kearns-paid-360000-to-be-an-office-boy-20100427-tq28.html[/url

My onlym problem with Gould's rants about this is he seems to feel far more for the players than the fans - the only inncoent parties in the whole thing.