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Friday, May 3, 2024

Ex-Storm skipper Cameron Smith lashes dumb players

Retired Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith says the behaviour of his former teammates is “mind-boggling” after star duo Cameron Munster and Brandon Smith fronted the NRL integrity unit following a leaked party video.

The long-time club leader lashed the players, as well as Storm forward Chris Lewis, who were hauled in front of the unit on Tuesday while the club is also conducting its own investigation.

The NRL is expected to suspend the players for at least two games and hand down fines of up to $40,000.

Two undated videos surfaced online early this week which appeared to show Munster, Smith and several other people in a room with a white substance on a table.

A second video shows Munster dancing on the same table.

Lewis, who made his NRL debut last year as a 28-year-old, isn’t in the vision but is part of the probe.

Smith described the actions of the players, as “dumb” and said they had made a poor choice.

“These boys know the rules; it’s illegal in society and within the game of rugby league,” Smith told SEN radio.

“I’d like to think they’re smarter than the way they’ve acted.

“To allow outsiders into a room and they’ve got phones out filming … it’s mind-boggling to see these guys make these poor choices.”

He said Munster and Smith were Storm leaders and he was extremely disappointed by the way they had treated the club.

“They’ve put so much heat and spotlight on the Melbourne Storm as an organisation and the same on their teammates and former players … who for their entire career did the right thing,” the former Kangaroos captain said.

“It’s taken a long time for people to build the club and have it held in such high regard across all sports and you’ve got guys wanting to make dumb choices and they can bring it all down in an instant.

“That’s what annoys me.”

Melbourne football boss Frank Ponissi told SEN radio the incident capped a miserable few days following their preliminary-final loss to Penrith.

“As a club we’re bitterly disappointed with the incident,” said Ponissi.

“It’s certainly against everything that we stand for as a club, the standards that we set.

“The three players have let themselves down, their families and have let the club down and now we have to sit tight and see what the NRL does.

“We will look at it as well and make a decision and an announcement next week.

“It just adds to a disappointing week … it left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth.”

Ponissi, who joined Melbourne in late 2007, said the behaviour wasn’t indicative of a culture problem at the NRL powerhouse.

“It’s only been a couple of days since we’ve been lauded about our culture so your culture doesn’t change in one incident,” Ponissi said.

“Any time there’s an incident it’s a problem but it’s not widespread.

“It’s probably how you react – any great cultures will face moments of adversity and challenging times … but it’s how the people in the club react and we will react in the most positive way possible.”

AAP

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