This is the first opportunity I have had to contribute to this discussion, both through the pressures of work but also wanting to take a breath and not blow off the handle.
I for one was shocking when I found out, and terribly disappointed. I agree with the punishments, IMO the club did not win those premierships honestly and so do not deserve the credit. That the players have been able to keep their premiership rings reflects a recognition of the fact that these players did in fact win the games and the club was the party fudging the books, no I'll rephrase, the club was the party cheating. The fact is those players can wear their rings if they want, but I'd be very surprised if anyone did.
All of a sudden, it has become quite apparent how Melbourne has managed to look head and shoulders above all other teams in the competition. For these last few years, it has been Melbourne laps ahead of the rest, and finally we have found out why, though some will argue its down to coaching, ability, skill, none of those things matter anymore because everything they have done matter for nothing as they team on the field is not the team they were entitled to field.
There has been a lot of discussion about which players have been involved and the repercussions they will face. While I agree with the principal of innocent until proven guilty, I for one find it quite to apply it in this case. I'm not naming names, but something in the paper this morning was interesting and looks like it may bring to light a few names of actively involved players in the near future. I for one hope that any player who is proved to have knowingly breached the cap, putting themselves before their club, fans, all other players and the game and its proud history, should be struck from the game, certainly never representing their state (if applicable) or their nation (though as an Australian, I can only really speak for Australia). I have no doubt certain players are not having particularly good night sleeps.
I know if it was Brisbane who had defrauded the game in the same manner as the Storm have (that qualifier is for AP), I would be devastated. I feel for the fans of the storm on a level separate to one on which I hate them. I feel for the fans sitting there right now, heartbroken, but I can't feel all that sorry for any of them who have gotten all indignant and have pointed the finder outwards.
I don't think I really need to mention anything about Waldron as the issue has been really well canvased previously, though I will mention his total lack of class in anything he does, evident in his claims that "all clubs do it" - nice way to bow out there. Sounds like the little child caught with the hand in the cookie jar hoping to deflect some of the retribution heading his way.
I'll end this by imploring Flutterby to re-open the anti-storm thread and I promise I'll be the best behaved I've ever been.