Storm legend Cameron Smith has fired again at those that have criticised his former membership, after Melbourne determined to recognise the 2007 and 2009 titles that will later be stripped off them for dishonest the wage cap.
The Storm, who entered the NRL in 1998, have been celebrating their twenty fifth anniversary previous to Friday evening’s conflict in opposition to the Eels.
The celebrations included trophy displays for 1999, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017 and 2020, however many NRL followers have been outraged that the Storm celebrated the 2 premiership years that have been taken off them, particularly earlier than a conflict in opposition to Parramatta, who Melbourne defeated within the 2009 Grand Final.
Watch each sport of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >>>
FOX LEAGUE PODCAST – YVONNE SAMPSON
Fox League presenter Yvonne Sampson joins the podcast this week to rejoice Women in League Round. ‘Vonny’ seems again over her journey in media — from overlaying pigeon races in rural Queensland to internet hosting the protection of a number of the largest occasions in Australian sport.Listen NOW >
Smith, who formally received three premierships with the Storm (2012, 2017, 2020) mentioned he believed celebrating the 2007 and 2009 seasons have been too acknowledge former gamers who have been aside of the staff throughout these 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.
“Everyone’s going to have their opinion, and I don’t try to tell people they’re wrong if they have a different opinion to myself or any other Storm person that wants to still celebrate those grand final wins.
“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.”
Smith admits he can perceive why there was some “annoyed” folks however stresses it was a celebration that was placed on for the precise causes.
“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.
Deja Vu as Holmes hit binned again | 00:40
MORE NRL NEWS
BIG HITS: Titans repel potent Cows for final 65min as flyer enjoys huge day
‘WEREN’T SUPPOSED TO WIN ANY’: Bennett bristles over Dolphins’ finals hopes
‘IN TROUBLE’: Holmes facing lengthy ban over second high shot sin bin in a week
“I’m sure looking at it now, they’re probably thinking they weren’t expecting this amount of news and reporting on it.
“Particular fans around the country still hold onto it and I completely get that.”
Storm chief govt Justin Rodski additionally defended the membership’s actions.
Get all the most recent NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
“It was important to acknowledge what those players from those two teams were able to achieve in those seasons,” Rodski advised the Sydney Morning Herald.
“We understand that retrospectively the premierships were taken away from our club.
“But given we were celebrating 25 years as a club, we felt it was appropriate those players and teams were properly acknowledged.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
