Melbourne Storm players Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis have today accepted the NRL and Club sanctions handed down following investigations into a video involving the players after the preliminary final loss last week.
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.
They will be required to spend time with all Storm pathway programs, providing coaching and education for young men and women entering the elite sporting system.
In addition, they will all be required to support community-based programs such as ‘In League In Harmony’ and youth programs in partnership with local government partners and local rugby league clubs.
Storm CEO, Justin Rodski, said the players had accepted all penalties handed to them by the NRL and club.
"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.
They are hurting and have already suffered significant embarrassment and shame over the last week. But importantly, they are not hiding from the issue and have committed to taking necessary steps to address their behaviour and mental health to ensure they make better decisions in the future and can influence others to also make better choices in life.
CEO Justin Rodski
"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." Rodski said.
