Melbourne Storm

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Rugby League Is Dead In Melbourne

Apr 22, 2010

"Moving on, I also stated in the previous article that I do not like the NRL pushing into the Victorian market, which will not accept the Rugby League, as opposed to focusing on areas known for their Rugby League ties. The AFL has too much of a stranglehold on the market down there, and no matter how much money they put into the game in the area, and no matter how many big matches they put down there...the market will not accept the sport."

That quote is from an article I wrote last year, and it could never be more true than today. Rugby League in the Victorian market is now officially dead, and to continue to push into that market would be a stupid move by the NRL.

The Melbourne Storm have been found out to be a team that has rorted the salary cap for the last five years by $1.7 million. That is a remarkable amount of money.

Just think of those five years, too.

  • Minor Premiers in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
  • Major Premiers in 2007 and 2009.
  • Four Grand Final appearances in a row.
  • Numerous players representing their state (which wasn't Victoria, by the way) and their country.
  • And a World Club Challenge championship.

All of it means nothing anymore.

I have been wondering for many years about how they could not be breaking the salary cap. It is obvious that they were. They had too many 'names' in their side, for too long, and were under the cap?

Now it has been exposed that they were breaching the cap the entire time, and with that, the NRL push into the Victorian market is dead. They were trying everything they could think of to get fans, and i'll admit, they were getting a good amount of fans...but who wouldn't if they were in four Grand Finals in a row?

Any team would be getting fans to their games if they had a streak like that. But imagine if it was in an area that actually supported the sport, unlike the Victorian market, which barely noticed the team apart from them being intruders into the AFL heartland.

Imagine if the team doing this remarkable feat was a Central Coast side! They would be making absolutely millions for the sport.

What could save the Melbourne Storm? Nothing.

The team, as far as I am concerned, should leave the competition. It was an interesting experiment, but it failed miserably years ago, and it was flailing about like a headless chicken for those years.

Now the chicken has crapped out its heart and does the Mexican Hat Dance upon it. Let it die before it embarrasses itself and the sport of Rugby League anymore than it has done so now.

League in Melbourne is dead. Move on, and focus on the Central Coast.

I hear that there has been a team wanting that area for a while, something to do with Bears? That sounds good.

Melbourne Are What The Picture Is

Oct 4, 2009

For those that are querying about the title of this article, just look at the accompanying picture. I think it quite says it all.

In my previous article, I stated that I don't like the Melbourne Storm. I really don't. They are on par with the Roosters for teams that I totally, and utterly despise. If I had the choice of having someone stab me repeatedly with a rusty and blunt spoon, or having these teams succeed in any small margin, I'd probably choose the former over the latter.

The whole of Rugby League seems to be in love with the Storm. I really do not understand it. They aren't that good of a team. The only reason why they have achieved the success that they have in the last few seasons, is because of a player by the name of Greg Inglis.

Forget that cow-licked poser Billy Slater. Inglis is the reason this team wins.

The last two games I have watched of the Melbourne Storm, Billy Slater received the props for nothing. He scores tries after others do all the work, and then he gets an offload from about ten metres out...and wow, Billy Slater scored! He is awesome.

Ass kissing morons.

I simply cannot believe that he was awarded the Clive Churchill medal in the game. He did NOTHING. Hell, they should have gave the damn thing to Hindmarsh considering his performance. Sixty-two tackles in a grand final? It would be near the record I'd think.

I read earlier today that Daniel Mortimer accused the Storm of being a grubby team. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy then came out to defend his side, stating that the Eels are the grubby team, as evidenced by Hayne being taken to the judiciary for the accidental knee he dropped on Bryson Goodwin, and that you have never seen such an action from one of his players.

It's because they don't get called up for shit. In the 2008 Grand Final...you know the one, where they were hammered 40—0 by Manly...Billy Slater came in to try stopping a try, by coming in with his feet first, twice.

Was he penalised? No. Was he put on report? No. Did the judiciary look at it later and suspend him? Well, they looked and it, but no. They didn't suspend him, or even put any points against his name...they just cautioned him slightly.

And then upon further investigation, you find that he was also cautioned about it this year.

I think Bellamy owes the Eels players an apology, and he should just admit that his team are a bunch of fucking grubby players.

Really, what is worse? Accidentally falling on someone with your knee, or purposely attempting a sliding tackle with your feet first, on multiple occasions?

I think most logical people know the answer to that one.

Moving on, I also stated in the previous article that I do not like the NRL pushing into the Victorian market, which will not accept the Rugby League, as opposed to focusing on areas known for their Rugby League ties. The AFL has too much of a stranglehold on the market down there, and no matter how much money they put into the game in the area, and no matter how many big matches they put down there...the market will not accept the sport.

I could barely fathom the idea of moving a game of State of Origin down to Melbourne every year. New South Wales versus Queensland, in Victoria? It doesn't make sense.

The only reason why the game was nearly sold out, was because people from both those states bought tickets and travelled down to the game. It wasn't Victorians, as evidenced by the massive amounts of Maroon jerseys in the crowd. It was a majority Queensland crowd. Robbed of their traditional two home games for this year's series, and forced to travel to one state to watch their state take on another different state...bizarre.

Western Australia and the Northern Territory both have bigger Rugby League ties than Melbourne, and there isn't a team in either of those areas. If the NRL truly wanted to capitalize on an untapped market, then making a move for the Northern Territory would be the better option.

They have a small, but healthy, local competition, and they are developing quite fast. The area also doesn't have any other large sporting teams. No Union, no AFL, no A-League, no NBL. Nothing. They are calling out for something to support, and no sporting body has given them anything.

It is an area which could be massive for the NRL, if only they stopped focusing on Melbourne. One example I will give of the failure of League down in Victoria, is the Storm playing at Etihad Stadium.

They moved their first final, against arch rivals Manly, to Etihad from their traditional home ground of the Olympic stadium. They apparently did this so a larger crowd would be able to attend the game. Did a larger crowd attend?

No.

The crowd was roughly the exact same that they get at the Olympic stadium. So what was the point of moving the game to the other ground?

Because the NRL are run by idiots, who overestimate the influence that the Melbourne Storm has over the sporting public in Melbourne. They thought they would draw more, simply because Melbourne were in the finals again...they're wrong.

Why didn't they draw more?

The Melbourne Storm play Rugby League, and not AFL. Simple as that.

The illogical thought patterns of those in charge of the game are so moronic, that I really can't be bothered writing anymore. So i'm going to leave this article as it is. I probably sound like an idiot, but who cares, I am one.

The Fate of a Dynasty Rests with Inglis Verdict

Aug 12, 2009

If the Melbourne Storm fails to win the 2009 Premiership, their reign atop of the NRL will be considered one of great underachievement.

A feat looking all the more likely with Greg Inglis sidelined indefinitely after he was charged with recklessly causing injury and unlawful assault on his long-term girlfriend Sally Robinson.

The Storm acted swiftly in standing down the 22-year-old superstar, making a clear statement that such behaviour will not be tolerated in the pursuit of on field success.

Storm Chief Executive Brian Waldron was forthright when questioned on Monday.

"I'm not concerned one bit about what goes on on the field," he said. "I'm concerned about the welfare of Sally, the welfare of Greg and the image of the club. I think the rest will look after itself."

Inglis appeared briefly at the Sunshine Magistrates Court yesterday before the case was adjourned for two weeks.  Following which, the club released a statement on its website that he will remain stood down for an indefinite period.

Waldron was on hand to support Inglis at the Court but was unwavering with the club's strong stance.

“We believe this is the appropriate course of action and is in the best interest of all parties concerned, we reiterate our concern for the wellbeing of all involved,” he said.

The Storm dominated the NRL from 2006-2008 claiming a hat trick of Minor Premierships but only one Premiership from three grand final appearances. 

The ability for Craig Bellamy to reinvent his team each season has been remarkable given the high turnover of players and salary cap constraints. 

However, the cracks started to appear during an ugly finals campaign in 2008 which culminated in a humiliating 40-0 Grand Final loss to Manly. 

All involved with the club will say 2009 is a new season, but it cannot be easy to brush off such a grand failure on the biggest stage.  Despite clinging to fourth sport, the sense of unfinished business that guided them to the 2007 flag is not evident.

Any team that boasts Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Dallas Johnson, and Inglis cannot be discounted but if Inglis’ indefinite suspension continues into September a second premiership under Bellamy looks out of reach.