NRL: Chiefs back exclusion of Storm from 2010 competition

South Sydney boss Shane Richardson. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - South Sydney boss Shane Richardson slammed "agendas" being run by critics as chief executives from all 15 rival NRL clubs backed the decision to exclude salary cap cheats Melbourne from this year's premiership race.

A telephone hook-up yesterday between club bosses - minus the Storm - unanimously supported the NRL's decision, taken because Melbourne have an illegally assembled squad, giving them an unfair edge.

While the NRL's decision to strip the Storm of two premierships and fine them heavily for systematic rorting has been widely accepted, controversy continues over preventing the club playing for competition points in 2010.

But the clubs backed the NRL, leaving vocal critics little hope of a change.

"The NRL clubs totally support that decision," said Richardson.

"There are people running agendas around this debate but it is absolutely the right decision.

"They [Melbourne] can't be allowed to finish ahead of any other club in the competition.

There were suggestions the Storm should be allowed to recommence competing for points as soon as they could get their playing roster to fit under the A$4.1 million ($5.3 million) salary cap, but Brisbane chief executive Bruno Cullen said it was too late to start farming out players cut by Melbourne.

"It would be a clear disadvantage to the other teams who do not have room in their cap," Cullen said.

"We are one of the few clubs who would have some room because of some of the events this year but it wouldn't be fair and we support the NRL's decision as it stands."

While some comparisons have been drawn to the 2002 decision to strip the Bulldogs of all the points they had acquired for rorting the salary cap but allowing them to accrue points in their final three matches, that decision left the Bulldogs no chance of competing in the finals, given there were only three matches left in the season.

Had the Storm been left to start from scratch from round seven, there is little doubt they would have the talent to still make a charge at the finals.

"They have been caught cheating," New Zealand Warriors boss Wayne Scurrah said.

"If it was at the end of the season they would lose all their points, and at this point of the season they can't be allowed to earn any points."

- AAP