Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has expressed his disappointment in Storm trio Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis’ behaviour after video emerged of them partying with what appeared to be a white substance.
After being reprimanded by both the club and the league for bringing the game into disrepute, Bellamy says the players are “well aware” of what they did wrong.
Speaking to 4BC Radio, the legendary coach says the players can’t afford to continue making similar mistakes as significant education awaits them.
“There has been a lot said and it has been really disappointing for us as a club, it’s been really disappointing for the game,” Bellamy said.
“Those guys are very aware they’ve done the wrong them.
“It’s really important now we give them the help and guidance they need to not be making those mistakes again.”
With the white powder in the footage believed to be illicit drugs, Bellamy expressed his disappointment in the trio’s “illegal” actions.
“A lot of people say to me it (illicit drug use) is rife in society now but ... for me, when I was their age we used to go out after a game and have six, eight, 10 schooners. That was what we did in those days,” Bellamy explained.
“I don’t know whether having a snort of cocaine or a line of cocaine is worse for your body or worse for you than half a dozen schooners.
“The big difference is having half a dozen schooners isn’t illegal. That’s what disappoints me so much is that these guys earn a good living, they’re doing what they love in life and what they did was illegal and they were very, very well aware of that.”
The trio will all miss Round 1 of the 2022 season on top of their financial punishments.