SEN’s Cameron Smith has revealed how the Melbourne Storm found an incentive to win games in the 2010 season after they were barred from receiving any competition points following salary cap breaches.
The NRL found the Storm were guilty of salary cap breaches in the 2007 to 2009 seasons which resulted in their premierships and minor premierships being stripped, a record $1.689 million fine and the inability to earn any competition points.
Smith said that whilst it was obviously tough, the team banded together and decided that their own pride and supporters were more than enough reason to perform each week.
“We sat down after we learnt the news that we wouldn’t be playing for any points that year,” Smith said on SEN 1170 The Captain’s Run.
“Number one was our pride because we had pride in our performances, pride in our results and what we do for our club.
“We had our fans and our members that had stuck by our football team and club during that tough period.
“We also had sponsors that stayed on as well and all the staff that were there every day working hard.”
A number of teams that have already been eliminated from finals contention have been accused of throwing in the towel in 2022.
This culminated in round 23 when a record 466 points were scored across the eight matches including several blowouts.
Smith said that for the players in teams who are at the bottom end of the ladder, the pride in your performances is the most important factor every time you pull on your jersey.
“First and foremost, it’s a pride thing,” he said.
“We were told we weren’t playing for points and we knew a long way out of finals that we weren’t going to be a part of that finals series in 2010.
“We still wanted to walk off the field after every game with our heads held high thinking we went out there trying to do our very best.
“For our team, for our sponsors, our fans, our members and everyone that follows the Melbourne Storm.
“That was the main thing.”
The Storm quickly put the 2010 season behind them and secured the minor premiership in 2011 and then won the premiership in 2012.