It is 13 years (has it really been that long?) since former NRL Chief Executive Officer David Gallop announced Melbourne Storm’s unprecedented, eviscerating punishment for salary cap breaches.
The removal of 2 premierships, 3 minor premierships and a World Cup Challenge title, a fine the equal of the breach amount, and virtual elimination from the 2010 competition.
It was a shocking and mesmerising time, for its illuminating expose of the worst aspects of human nature. At its heart was deceit but more compelling were the many unhinged responses.
Last week, the Storm returned to the Docklands stadium, the scene of their first game after the 2010 sentence was handed down.
I went to that game and, as Craig Bellamy noted recently, didn’t expect anyone to turn up. It was made more significant after the team’s dramatic walk towards the cameras at the recently completed AAMI Park…
