‘Hall of asterisks': Melbourne Storm's act with ‘cheated trophies' angers NRL fans
A photo emerged over the weekend of the Storm's 2007 and 2009 premiership trophies on show inside AAMI Park for Thursday night's clash against the Brisbane Broncos.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
The image was shared on social media by Ross Symons, CEO of Big Ant Studios, the company that produced the new Rugby League 26 video game.
Symonds innocently shared some photos from inside the Storm's home ground ahead of the game, but the 2007 and 2009 trophies immediately caught the eye of his followers.
'Someone sent me a photo from AAMI Park the other night,' veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield told Triple M's Sunday Sin Bin.
'They have all these premiership winning trophies near where the players come onto the field — 99, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017 and 2020.
'Six grand final wins but only four premierships. 2007 and 2009 were taken off them.
'I don't think those two trophies they were stripped of for salary cap cheating should be displayed.'
Co-host Ben Dobbin said: 'They're a reminder of what those previous players have done.'
Former Bulldogs hardman James Graham said the constraints of the salary cap are an important part of the competition.
'If they were able to, Penrith could have kept (Jarome) Luai, (Stephen) Crichton, (Viliame) Kikau, (Matt) Burton — they could have sailed on for the next decade and it wouldn't have been close.'
It's safe to say the Storm displaying the 2007 and 2009 premiership trophies didn't go down too well with some footy fans.
One person commented: 'Love how they display their hall of asterisks like that, what a club - do they have the two sets of books framed too?
A second said: 'Why are two cheated trophies there?'
'Nothing pisses me off more than Melbourne's 07/09 stance,' a third said.
A fourth said: 'No way there still counting 07 and 09, cheats.'
Another said: 'There appears to be two fictional trophies in that image.'
It's not the first time Melbourne have come under fire for having their 'salary cap tainted' trophies on display.
In 2023, the Storm paraded the 2007 and 2009 trophies along with the four other premiership triumphs as part of the club's 25-year anniversary celebrations.
Greg Inglis and Dallas Johnson brought the 2009 trophy out onto AAMI Park as part of a club presentation.
Inglis left the Storm for the Rabbitohs as the most high profile player to depart the club in the wake of the salary cap scandal, which saw Melbourne stripped of all premiership points in 2010.
Storm legend Cameron Smith said the celebration of the 2007 and 2009 seasons was simply to acknowledge former players who were apart of the team during those seasons.
'I think it was purely an in-house thing that they were doing for the fans and the players and particularly the old boys down there,' Smith said on SEN.
'I don't ask them to understand the way we feel about it either. I completely understand people would say 'That's wrong, they shouldn't do that' and that's fine but at the same time, many people wouldn't understand the way we feel about it either.
'There were guys there that played in those grand finals and then were forced to leave the club in 2010. After that, they never had an opportunity to play in another grand final or an opportunity to win one.
'There was punishment handed down at the time and the club and the players and all the administration and fans had to live through that. At no stage was it an opportunistic time to show it off or parade it around,' Smith continued.
'The thing I want to get across is, I can understand why it's annoyed a lot of people and that's fine – as long as those people can acknowledge too that I don't think those people understand the way that the Storm people in that period feel about it at all.'
Melbourne defeated Brisbane 22-2 on Thursday to cement their spot in the top four as hamstring injuries to playmakers Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds left the Broncos reeling in the run to finals.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Harry played for it': Nathan Cleary and Harry Grant clash over controversial ruling in Storm's epic golden point win over Penrith
Superstar halfback Nathan Cleary has accused Storm rival Harry Grant of playing for a penalty in the final few minutes of Thursday's epic encounter in Sydney, with Melbourne's main man firing back that Penrith players knew they were in the wrong. A depleted Storm side outlasted the defending premiers thanks to a crafty Grant try in golden point, but the Panthers feel they should have won the game in regulation after Cleary potted a field goal with three minutes remaining. The shot would have given them a 19-18 lead but referee Ashley Klein immediately penalised prop forward Moses Leota for running interference and stepping into Grant's path to block him from getting to Cleary who later had two attempts charged down. The Panthers challenged the call but it was immediately dismissed because attacking players aren't allowed to loiter in the ruck to block defenders. Moses Leota blocks the charge down attempt, and Melbourne escapes a Cleary field goal! ðŸ'° Watch #NRLPanthersStorm on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: â�°âœ�ï¸� BLOG â�°ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE — Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 14, 2025 'Harry was too smart at both ends. That's pretty much it,' a diplomatic Ivan Cleary said after the match. But his son was fired up, with Ivan even encouraging him to 'be honest' when he paused momentarily to answer the question. 'If that was in the field of play and you run a block shape, it wouldn't have been an obstruction because they ruled that out if you're typically defending at that three man and you play for an obstruction, they don't want that in the game,' he said. 'But for some reason, it's different for a field goal. 'I thought the blocking rule was brought in so that people wouldn't stand next to the play the ball, but Moses wasn't in that position. 'I don't believe that everyone can get behind me on that field goal, and then essentially Harry played for it because he knew he was going to get the penalty. 'I don't believe that Moses moved so it was pretty frustrating.' The Panthers have been clinical in so many field goal scenarios, with Cleary recently nailing a long-range shot to send their game against the Titans to golden point. 'It was a bit different because it happened straight after a line break so I went into that position – it wasn't a standard field goal,' he said. 'I think that's what makes it harder because it was after a line break so Moses was there to take the next run. 'I'm not sure what he was meant to do. I know it's a common cliché but is he meant to then run through? But if he runs through, then he's a chance to take people out. 'Do we expect him to get all the way behind the ball, but then we've got no one to run it. I feel like it's a split second thing where I'm calling like I want the ball to take the field goal and Moses is there to take the run, and he didn't move.' Grant was told of Cleary's frustrations but said all teams know the rules around blockers and that he could hear Penrith players telling Leota to 'get out of the road'. 'I think anyone in the game has seen that's been policed numerous times, and that's the rule within the game,' he said. 'Even the Penrith boys were aware of it in the game and when it happened so I'm happy if that's the rule then we stick to it, but if we want to change it then come out during the week and change it. The defence parts like the Red Sea and the Storm win it in Golden Point. ðŸ'° Watch #NRLPanthersStorm on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: â�°âœ�ï¸� BLOG â�°ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE — Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 14, 2025 'I think anyone would agree that's been policed numerous times throughout the year. Hats off to the officials for policing it the same way because it would have been easy to change it. 'A lot of attention will go to that, but it doesn't need to. 'The attention should go to what a quality contest it was and how well they played. We were underdogs and had a fair few players out but we turned up so I really think that (people should focus on the result).' The controversial penalty overshadowed Grant's heroics at the death when he fooled the markers who raced out to pressure a potential shot at goal, with the Storm hooker able to dart over for the winner as he did at the same venue in golden point against the Eels two years ago. It capped a vital win for the Storm who remain in the hunt for the minor premiership, with Xavier Coates starring on the wing as they snuck home without Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen.
The Age
5 hours ago
- The Age
Essendon champion joins Dees' coach search; Winmar continues bid to co-lead racism class action
In today's AFL Briefing, your daily wrap of footy news: Melbourne will launch their coach search immediately, in the hope of making an appointment by mid-to-late September. Former St Kilda star Nicky Winmar is continuing his push to be a co-lead plaintiff in a racism class action against the AFL. Two-time All-Australian and one of the best small forwards of his generation, Hawthorn's Luke Breust, has announced this season will be his last. Former Essendon captain Jobe Watson will be on the panel charged with finding premiership coach Simon Goodwin's replacement at Melbourne. Joining the Bombers great on the Demons' appointment panel are president Brad Green, director and incoming president Steve Smith, chief executive-elect Paul Guerra, football boss Alan Richardson, Melbourne Storm's football director Frank Ponissi, and human resources executive Meahan Callaghan. Ponissi, who has worked at the Storm for 18 years alongside revered premiership coach Craig Bellamy, also helped Richmond select ex-Melbourne player Adem Yze as Damien Hardwick's successor. The Demons will launch their coach search immediately, in the hope of making an appointment by mid-to-late September. Collingwood champion and former coach Nathan Buckley is viewed as the early frontrunner to be the Demons' next coach after John Longmire, Adam Simpson, Ken Hinkley and James Hird ruled themselves out. Asked during his weekly Triple M breakfast appearance on Thursday about the prospect of playing under Buckley, Melbourne skipper Max Gawn downplayed the possibility, given the club, at that stage, had not 'even got a [selection] committee yet'. 'I just don't know how any of these guys coach,' Gawn said. 'From the outside, 'Bucks' took his team to a granny and lost by a Dom Sheed kick. John Longmire took his team to five [grand finals], so they're good coaches … I think, but I can't really answer.'
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
O'Connor at No.10 as Wallabies suffer more injury woe
Veteran James O'Connor has been called on to take on the playmaking duties as the Wallabies seek to build on the impetus of their Lions' third-Test win with a rare victory in South Africa at the start of the Rugby Championship. But a plan for the 35-year-old O'Connor, back in the green and gold after three years, to share the No.10 role has had to be shelved after Ben Donaldson went down injured in training on Thursday. The idea had been for O'Connor to play the first 40 minutes with Donaldson coming on after the break but the injury has left the Wallabies looking at risky alternatives in the playmaking department as they get set to face the world champions in Johannesburg on Saturday (Sunday AEST). "In the second to last play of the training, 'Donno' kicked the ball and pulled up short so we don't know what the extent of the injury is," coach Joe Schmidt revealed after naming the team. "We've only been back from training for about an hour so he will get a scan now and we'll have a definitive picture because we need to know for next week as well whether we need more cover. "Nic White can cover No.10 and is astute enough to do so, Andrew Kellaway has the skill set as well if we go with what we've got at the moment." The inclusion of the 35-year-old O'Connor at No.10 is the only change to the starting XV that defeated the British & Irish Lions 22-12 in Sydney a fortnight ago, as he comes into the side after Tom Lynagh suffered a concussion in that encouraging victory. O'Connor, who helped New Zealand outfit Crusaders win the Super Rugby title this season, hasn't played for the Wallabies since 2022 but still looks the safest pair of hands after all the fly-half woes Schmidt has had to contend with, what with first-choice Noah Lolesio also out with neck trouble. O'Connor's halfback partner will be another veteran, White, who has doubled back on his decision to retire after the Lions series when first choice Jake Gordon got injured. Donaldson's injury has necessitated a late change to the planned bench with Schmidt having to replace the versatile back with loose forward Nick Champion de Crespigny. That means Australia will go from a five-three to six-two split between forwards and backs among the replacements. Yet Schmidt sounded upbeat as he noted: "The group has had a good week of preparation, adjusting pretty well to the time zone and the altitude well here in Johannesburg. "There's not many bigger Tests than playing South Africa on their home turf and we know we're going to need to be at our best on Saturday night." Australia are seeking their first win at Ellis Park since 1963, when they beat South Africa 11-9. Australia team: 15–Tom Wright, 14–Max Jorgensen, 13–Joseph Suaalii, 12–Len Ikitau, 11–Dylan Pietsch, 10–James O'Connor, 9–Nic White, 8–Harry Wilson (captain), 7–Fraser McReight, 6–Tom Hooper, 5–Will Skelton, 4–Nick Frost, 3–Taniela Tupou, 2–Billy Pollard, 1–James Slipper Replacements: 16–Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17–Angus Bell, 18–Zane Nonggorr, 19–Jeremy Williams, 20–Langi Gleeson, 21–Nick Champion de Crespigny, 22–Tate McDermott, 23–Andrew Kellaway.
