The NRL and Melbourne Storm have handed down their punishments to the three players involved in the scandalous video that emerged after the club’s preliminary final loss.
Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis have all been in the spotlight over the past two weeks after being involved in the infamous video that featured white powder on the table.
The trio have received huge fines and will undergo various social prohibitons due to their behaviour.
The Storm released a statement on Tuesday afternoon that detailed the nature of the sanctions, both league and club inflicted.
The statement read:
All three players have accepted full responsibility for their actions which resulted in the NRL serving each with a breach notice under the Code of Conduct
• Cameron Munster – official breach notice, $30,000 fine, one NRL match suspension
• Brandon Smith - official breach notice, $15,000 fine, one NRL match suspension • Chris Lewis - official breach notice, $4,000 fine, one NRL match suspension
In addition to the NRL sanctions, the three players have accepted Club enforced actions that will take effect immediately. These actions include:
Cameron Munster
• $100,000 (suspended) fine
• Additional behavioural conditions as part of a disciplinary action agreement
• Stood down from the Senior Leadership Group
• Will enter and complete a four-week rehabilitation program
• Will abstain from alcohol for a period of 12 months
• Consultation with club medical team and health professionals to individualise a comprehensive ongoing welfare program
Brandon Smith
• $50,000 (suspended) fine
• Additional behavioural conditions as part of a disciplinary action agreement
• Stood down from the Emerging Leadership Group
• Consultation with club medical team and health professionals to individualise a comprehensive ongoing welfare program
Chris Lewis
• $10,000 (suspended) fine
• Additional behavioural conditions as part of a disciplinary action agreement
• Will assist with the development of a new education program for our young NRL talent and elite pathway programs
• Consultation with club medical team and health professionals to individualise a comprehensive ongoing welfare program
All three players will have individualised welfare support and action plans developed in consultation with Storm medical and health professionals.
The players will formally apologise to Storm staff in person when they return to training and will record individual messages for Club members and partners.
Importantly, they will record a video message to apologise to the other 213 past players and Melbourne Old Boys who have pulled on the Storm jersey and set the foundations of this club over 23 years.
Storm CEO Justin Rodski also commented in the club’s statement, expressing his disappointment at the hurt caused.
"This has been an incredibly challenging and disappointing period for everyone involved in our club," Rodski said.
"The decisions of these three players have hurt a lot of people and the players have broken the trust of the club and the game.
"The players are genuinely remorseful for what has happened. They have made a significant error in judgement, and they are here today to own their decisions and take responsibility for their actions.
"The players know they are on notice, they all have significant fines hanging over their head, and face significant consequences for any future indiscretion, no matter how big or small.
"As a club, we are committed to holding our players accountable for their actions, but we will also provide them with the right support they need to correct their behaviour.
"Ultimately, we have a duty of care to our players and want to see them contributing in a meaningful way to the game, the club and the community, both on and off the field."
</p