A new-found empathy for Melbourne Storm fans and players

In the wake of the preliminary findings against the Eels, I've found myself reconsidering the way I think about other clubs. If you had've asked me who my most hated club was a month ago, I wouldn't have hesitated in answering:

Melbourne Storm.

The reason? Because they're cheating scum. Them rorting the salary cap potentially cost us a Premiership in 2009, which would've been the first and only Eels premiership I would have been alive for. Unfortunately, with new allegations and findings that the Eels have been cheating the salary cap, it seems hypocritical to hate another team for something the club I love is guilty for. How can we ever take the moral high ground again? As Parramatta members, we are now not only tainted with the stench of perennial failure, but we're also placed in the cheat category.

I've stumbled upon a new empathy for the Melbourne players, coaching staff and fans. We've all thrown our fair share of insults in their direction, but it's only now that it becomes evident how wrong we were in painting the whole organisation with the same brush.

This whole experience has been humbling. I just hope we can bounce back with the determination and dignity that Melbourne have.

"Point is , he'll hardly be getting Moses money just cause he gets to kick. . We aren't shy to throw a decent paycheque out there and we certainly have some. If we offered that clown that kinda coin , I'm sure we wouldn't have been offering Peasant…"

"He is 35 this year but man he is still playing some good footy. But do you take the risk that father time creeps up right when we get him? Garrick is replacing Nawaqanitawase."

Replies

Kurupt May 4, 2016 at 10:24pm

Fůck the storm scumbags!
Collaroy Eel May 4, 2016 at 10:42pm

Exactly kurupt.. I'll hate the storm till the day I die
ParramAddict May 4, 2016 at 10:46pm

I have no sympathy for those scum, maybe if we robbed someone of a premiership and then this happened ..... nah still wouldn't
macybrown May 4, 2016 at 10:53pm

Maybe if we started the season intentionally .7 k over the cap, but with the way it was worded that's how its perceived anyway.
Mapik May 4, 2016 at 10:58pm

Bzzzzz wrong.... Let's swap them the premierships they won (and their players are still credited with in all media) while actually cheating the cap with multiple contracts signed and random boats in the garage to keep 4 of the best players in the game in the team... with the wooden spoons we won while cheating the cap paying players to play at other clubs, go home to England to play or play NFL. I'm sure Mossop would love a premiership ring.

Does that mean Matt Keating can get an NRL premiers Tatoo. Good for him.
SimoEel May 4, 2016 at 11:09pm

I dislike the Storm because of the way they play the game or should I say played the game, on field stuff that should never have been part of this game.

If there is one team I have lack of respect for have been the largest cheats in the past 10 years is that of the Sharks...they got off very lightly.
- Yoshi > SimoEel May 4, 2016 at 11:18pm
  
  Hating them for their negative style is a different thing entirely, I don't like St George or Brisbane for the same reason