And the fallout begins:
BIG PAYOUT ON WOODEN SPOON AS STORM STRIPPED OF POINTS
Sportingbet Australia will pay over $40,000 on the Wooden Spoon after Melbourne Storm were stripped of all their Premiership points.
Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said this would change the way Wooden Spoon betting would be done in the future.
“Melbourne has gone from $251 to no betting in the space of six hours which has to be the biggest shortener in betting history,” Sullivan said.
“We will look at the way we bet on the Wooden Spoon in the future as punters and bookmakers alike are betting without all the information.”
“We have refunded all Premiership bets on Melbourne as they are now out of calculations.”
Sullivan said the decision had an enormous impact on betting going forward in 2010 as well.
“This has consequences on match betting throughought the year, as what motivation do the Storm have if they can’t finish anywhere but last,” he said.
“We have suspended all markets on Melbourne’s game this weekend’s with the Warriors.
“St George are the new favourites for the Premiership at $4.50 ahead of Parramatta and Manly at $7.00.”
NRL PREMIERSHIP
Sportingbet Australia Market
St George Dragons 4.50
Manly Sea Eagles 6.50
Parramatta Eels 6.50
Wests Tigers 7.50
Penrith Panthers 9.00
Canterbury Bulldogs 11.00
Gold Coast Titans 11.00
South Sydney Rabbitohs 11.00
Sydney Roosters 15.00
Brisbane Broncos 26.00
New Zealand Warriors 29.00
Canberra Raiders 51.00
Newcastle Knights 51.00
North Qld Cowboys 51.00
Cronulla Sharks 251.00
Showing posts with label nrl news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nrl news. Show all posts
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Melbourne Storm NRL statement in full
The National Rugby League has today stripped the Melbourne Storm of the 2007 and 2009 Telstra Premierships, the Minor Premierships of 2006-8 and of its 2010 competition points after confirming a series of salary cap breaches amounting to at least $1.7million over five years.
The club will lose all competition points earned to date in 2010 and also the right to accumulate points going forward in 2010 (competition tables will record wins and losses but the club will not be awarded competition points on the basis of any wins). These measures are effective as of today.
The club has furthermore been fined $500,000 and will be forced to return $1.1million in prize-money with the prize-money being distributed evenly among the other fifteen clubs.
Individual awards by players will continue to be recognised but records will be adjusted to show that the Premiership is not recognised even though the result cannot be overturned. Neither Manly nor Parramatta will assume the Premiership titles in their respective years.
The Storm’s Chairman and Chief Executive met with the NRL in Sydney today to confirm the extent of the breaches uncovered by NRL Salary Cap Auditor Ian Schubert and his audit team.
The investigations have revealed the Storm maintained a dual contract system and the club has today confirmed that side letters promising extra payments were stored in a secret file at the home of the Chief Executive.
The accounts were structured in such a way that it would appear the commitments were not apparent to either the Melbourne Storm Board or its owners.
The NRL has uncovered breaches estimated to be in excess of $1.7million over five years, around $400,000 in 2009 and with a projected breach of $700,000 in 2010.
“While the amount itself is cause for concern, the most damning indictment is the systematic attempt by persons within the club to conceal payments from the Salary Cap auditor and, it would now seem certain from the club’s Board and from its owners, on an ongoing basis,” Mr Gallop said.
"It was through this system that they were able to attract and retain some of the biggest names in Rugby League.
“In doing so they have let down the game, the players and the fans of the Melbourne Storm.
“Clearly there were some individuals who knew what was going on and perhaps many who did not.
“By nature, that means innocent parties will suffer as a result of this punishment but the persons responsible are those who constructed the scheme and anyone who knowingly signed a false statutory declaration to deceive the game.
“It would be unfair now on the players and fans of every other club in the competition to allow the Storm to enter this year’s finals series or to retain the titles they won.
“As a game we will do all we can to restore the faith of each of those parties but there is no alternative now but to deal with the situation that has been so deliberately engineered.
“As was the case with Canterbury after 2002, the only other instance in which we have seen such an elaborate and contrived set of accounts, there is the chance for the club to begin a rebuilding process with the fans and the game by the way it conducts itself in the weeks and months ahead.
“A significant step in that process has been the way the Melbourne Board has reacted to the information the Salary Cap team tabled this week.
“Rather than look to conceal the activities, the Board has cooperated fully and we have been informed that the club’s owners, News Limited, have now ordered a full forensic examination of all club accounts.
“It should be pointed out that, as owners of the club, News Limited has only been made aware of the investigation in recent days.
“Ian Schubert and his assistant Jamie L’Oste Brown have been collecting information in relation to this process for some time and their commitment to that process deserves considerable respect.
“Salary cap investigation is among the most difficult and in many ways least rewarding roles in the game but, despite the thoughts of some critics, there is universal acceptance of the importance of the cap and of the contribution it has made to the most successful era in the game’s history.
“In truth, this issue is not so much about the Salary Cap but the simple reality of cheating the rules as they stand at any time. Everyone knew the rules, particularly after 2002.
“This investigation has relied on detailed reviews of accounts as well as evidence from informants.
“It is a reminder to everyone who wishes to test the rules that there is every likelihood the truth will emerge in time and that the consequences will be severe at that point.”
The club will lose all competition points earned to date in 2010 and also the right to accumulate points going forward in 2010 (competition tables will record wins and losses but the club will not be awarded competition points on the basis of any wins). These measures are effective as of today.
The club has furthermore been fined $500,000 and will be forced to return $1.1million in prize-money with the prize-money being distributed evenly among the other fifteen clubs.
Individual awards by players will continue to be recognised but records will be adjusted to show that the Premiership is not recognised even though the result cannot be overturned. Neither Manly nor Parramatta will assume the Premiership titles in their respective years.
The Storm’s Chairman and Chief Executive met with the NRL in Sydney today to confirm the extent of the breaches uncovered by NRL Salary Cap Auditor Ian Schubert and his audit team.
The investigations have revealed the Storm maintained a dual contract system and the club has today confirmed that side letters promising extra payments were stored in a secret file at the home of the Chief Executive.
The accounts were structured in such a way that it would appear the commitments were not apparent to either the Melbourne Storm Board or its owners.
The NRL has uncovered breaches estimated to be in excess of $1.7million over five years, around $400,000 in 2009 and with a projected breach of $700,000 in 2010.
“While the amount itself is cause for concern, the most damning indictment is the systematic attempt by persons within the club to conceal payments from the Salary Cap auditor and, it would now seem certain from the club’s Board and from its owners, on an ongoing basis,” Mr Gallop said.
"It was through this system that they were able to attract and retain some of the biggest names in Rugby League.
“In doing so they have let down the game, the players and the fans of the Melbourne Storm.
“Clearly there were some individuals who knew what was going on and perhaps many who did not.
“By nature, that means innocent parties will suffer as a result of this punishment but the persons responsible are those who constructed the scheme and anyone who knowingly signed a false statutory declaration to deceive the game.
“It would be unfair now on the players and fans of every other club in the competition to allow the Storm to enter this year’s finals series or to retain the titles they won.
“As a game we will do all we can to restore the faith of each of those parties but there is no alternative now but to deal with the situation that has been so deliberately engineered.
“As was the case with Canterbury after 2002, the only other instance in which we have seen such an elaborate and contrived set of accounts, there is the chance for the club to begin a rebuilding process with the fans and the game by the way it conducts itself in the weeks and months ahead.
“A significant step in that process has been the way the Melbourne Board has reacted to the information the Salary Cap team tabled this week.
“Rather than look to conceal the activities, the Board has cooperated fully and we have been informed that the club’s owners, News Limited, have now ordered a full forensic examination of all club accounts.
“It should be pointed out that, as owners of the club, News Limited has only been made aware of the investigation in recent days.
“Ian Schubert and his assistant Jamie L’Oste Brown have been collecting information in relation to this process for some time and their commitment to that process deserves considerable respect.
“Salary cap investigation is among the most difficult and in many ways least rewarding roles in the game but, despite the thoughts of some critics, there is universal acceptance of the importance of the cap and of the contribution it has made to the most successful era in the game’s history.
“In truth, this issue is not so much about the Salary Cap but the simple reality of cheating the rules as they stand at any time. Everyone knew the rules, particularly after 2002.
“This investigation has relied on detailed reviews of accounts as well as evidence from informants.
“It is a reminder to everyone who wishes to test the rules that there is every likelihood the truth will emerge in time and that the consequences will be severe at that point.”
NRL Melbourne Storm betting suspended
CONTROVERSY LOOMS - WOODEN SPOON BETTING SUSPENDED AS STORM WELL BACKED
Betting on the NRL Wooden Spoon has been suspended after a string of bets were taken on the Melbourne Storm at $251 with Sportingbet Australia this morning.
Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said the move set off alarm bells as the Storm are favourites for the Premiership and look no hope of winning the Spoon.
“We took three bets to win $10,000 and another to win $8000 on the Storm for the Wooden Spoon all within 10 minutes of each other this morning,” Sullivan said.
“You don’t take a series of bets like that unless someone knows something or think they know something and we have suspended betting on the Wooden Spoon as a result.
“Melbourne is now our worst result for the Wooden Spoon despite the fact they are Premiership favourites.”
The Storm are still $5.00 with Sportingbet Australia for the Premiership ahead of St George at $5.50.
NRL WOODEN SPOON (BEFORE BETTING SUSPENDED)
Sportingbet Australia Market
Cronulla Sharks 1.67
Brisbane Broncos 8.00
Canberra Raiders 9.00
Newcastle Knights 9.00
North Queensland Cowboys 9.00
New Zealand Warriors 17.00
Canterbury Bulldogs 34.00
Parramatta Eels 34.00
South Sydney Rabbitohs 51.00
Sydney Roosters 51.00
Gold Coast Titans 67.00
Penrith Panthers 101.00
Wests Tigers 101.00
Manly Sea Eagles 151.00
Melbourne Storm 251.00
St George Dragons 251.00
NRL PREMIERSHIP
Sportingbet Australia Market
Melbourne Storm 5.00
St George Dragons 5.50
Parramatta Eels 8.50
Manly Sea Eagles 9.00
Wests Tigers 9.00
Penrith Panthers 12.00
Canterbury Bulldogs 13.00
Gold Coast Titans 13.00
South Sydney Rabbitohs 13.00
Sydney Roosters 18.00
Brisbane Broncos 29.00
New Zealand Warriors 34.00
Canberra Raiders 51.00
Newcastle Knights 51.00
North Qld Cowboys 51.00
Cronulla Sharks 251.00
Betting on the NRL Wooden Spoon has been suspended after a string of bets were taken on the Melbourne Storm at $251 with Sportingbet Australia this morning.
Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said the move set off alarm bells as the Storm are favourites for the Premiership and look no hope of winning the Spoon.
“We took three bets to win $10,000 and another to win $8000 on the Storm for the Wooden Spoon all within 10 minutes of each other this morning,” Sullivan said.
“You don’t take a series of bets like that unless someone knows something or think they know something and we have suspended betting on the Wooden Spoon as a result.
“Melbourne is now our worst result for the Wooden Spoon despite the fact they are Premiership favourites.”
The Storm are still $5.00 with Sportingbet Australia for the Premiership ahead of St George at $5.50.
NRL WOODEN SPOON (BEFORE BETTING SUSPENDED)
Sportingbet Australia Market
Cronulla Sharks 1.67
Brisbane Broncos 8.00
Canberra Raiders 9.00
Newcastle Knights 9.00
North Queensland Cowboys 9.00
New Zealand Warriors 17.00
Canterbury Bulldogs 34.00
Parramatta Eels 34.00
South Sydney Rabbitohs 51.00
Sydney Roosters 51.00
Gold Coast Titans 67.00
Penrith Panthers 101.00
Wests Tigers 101.00
Manly Sea Eagles 151.00
Melbourne Storm 251.00
St George Dragons 251.00
NRL PREMIERSHIP
Sportingbet Australia Market
Melbourne Storm 5.00
St George Dragons 5.50
Parramatta Eels 8.50
Manly Sea Eagles 9.00
Wests Tigers 9.00
Penrith Panthers 12.00
Canterbury Bulldogs 13.00
Gold Coast Titans 13.00
South Sydney Rabbitohs 13.00
Sydney Roosters 18.00
Brisbane Broncos 29.00
New Zealand Warriors 34.00
Canberra Raiders 51.00
Newcastle Knights 51.00
North Qld Cowboys 51.00
Cronulla Sharks 251.00
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Plenty of panic at Parramatta Eels
Yesterday, the headlines screamed "No panic at Eels" as Nathan Hindmarsh was wheeled out to do the publicity for the club which has lost 4 of its first 5 games.
Hindy told radio and whoever else who'd listen that his side looked better against Canberra than they had for weeks - but that there was no explanation for the loss.
Perhaps there's a clue: Each time Canberra scored, the cameras showed Cayless with his head in his hands - hardly an indication of confidence.
Hindmarsh said there were too many generals, and that there should be one man directing traffic. Hindy himself seemed to be running into dead ends each time he touched the ball.
So today, the club announces Hindy as co-captain. That's not the sign of a club without panic. Rest assured, the Eels management is swinging quickly into crisis mode and players will be put on firm notice that their performance will determine their future at the club.
There's an old saying that a side of champions doesn't necessarily make a champion side.
From a punting perspective, their games - no matter who they're playing - should be a "no go zone".
Hindy told radio and whoever else who'd listen that his side looked better against Canberra than they had for weeks - but that there was no explanation for the loss.
Perhaps there's a clue: Each time Canberra scored, the cameras showed Cayless with his head in his hands - hardly an indication of confidence.
Hindmarsh said there were too many generals, and that there should be one man directing traffic. Hindy himself seemed to be running into dead ends each time he touched the ball.
So today, the club announces Hindy as co-captain. That's not the sign of a club without panic. Rest assured, the Eels management is swinging quickly into crisis mode and players will be put on firm notice that their performance will determine their future at the club.
There's an old saying that a side of champions doesn't necessarily make a champion side.
From a punting perspective, their games - no matter who they're playing - should be a "no go zone".
Monday, April 12, 2010
Brisbane Broncos premiership chances
Granted, there are some young players, but look at their performance in round 1 when they had Corey Parker, Israel Folau and Denan Kemp in the lineup and they were indeed a different side.
That in mind, this bet might have some justification:
NRL: BRONCOS BACKED TO WIN OVER $250,000
One punter certainly thinks the Broncos are set to kick off a massive form reversal against the Sharks this weekend, backing them to win over $250,000 at Sportingbet Australia.
The Broncos had drifted to $67 roughies for the Premiership after a fourth consecutive loss to the Dragons on Friday night but at least one punter certainly thinks they are still contenders.
Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said the Broncos cruel run of injuries would make it very hard for them to be genuine contenders though.
“We have shortened the Broncos from $67 to $41 after taking a bet of $264,000 to $4000 but realistically they will need luck to even make the finals,” Sullivan said.
“The Broncos are desperate for reinforcements but by the time the lies of Folau, Parker and Hodges get back on the park, they might be already too far gone.”
Sullivan said it was the biggest price he could remember the Broncos being at this stage of the season.
“If it was any other team, you would simply rule a line through their name and say they were no chance of making the eight,” he said.
“The Broncos have a history of coming back though and $67 is an enormous price for any side with the likes of Lockyer, Wallace, Thaiday in the side and hopefully Folau and Hodges to return.”
2010 NRL Premiership
Sportingbet Australia market
Melbourne Storm 4.50
St George Dragons 6.00
Wests Tigers 7.00
Parramatta Eels 9.00
Gold Coast Titans 11.00
Manly Sea Eagles 11.00
South Sydney Rabbitohs 11.00
Penrith Panthers 15.00
Canterbury Bulldogs 21.00
Sydney Roosters 21.00
New Zealand Warriors 26.00
North Qld Cowboys 34.00
Brisbane Broncos 41.00
Canberra Raiders 101.00
Newcastle Knights 101.00
Cronulla Sharks 151.00
That in mind, this bet might have some justification:
NRL: BRONCOS BACKED TO WIN OVER $250,000
One punter certainly thinks the Broncos are set to kick off a massive form reversal against the Sharks this weekend, backing them to win over $250,000 at Sportingbet Australia.
The Broncos had drifted to $67 roughies for the Premiership after a fourth consecutive loss to the Dragons on Friday night but at least one punter certainly thinks they are still contenders.
Sportingbet Australia CEO Michael Sullivan said the Broncos cruel run of injuries would make it very hard for them to be genuine contenders though.
“We have shortened the Broncos from $67 to $41 after taking a bet of $264,000 to $4000 but realistically they will need luck to even make the finals,” Sullivan said.
“The Broncos are desperate for reinforcements but by the time the lies of Folau, Parker and Hodges get back on the park, they might be already too far gone.”
Sullivan said it was the biggest price he could remember the Broncos being at this stage of the season.
“If it was any other team, you would simply rule a line through their name and say they were no chance of making the eight,” he said.
“The Broncos have a history of coming back though and $67 is an enormous price for any side with the likes of Lockyer, Wallace, Thaiday in the side and hopefully Folau and Hodges to return.”
2010 NRL Premiership
Sportingbet Australia market
Melbourne Storm 4.50
St George Dragons 6.00
Wests Tigers 7.00
Parramatta Eels 9.00
Gold Coast Titans 11.00
Manly Sea Eagles 11.00
South Sydney Rabbitohs 11.00
Penrith Panthers 15.00
Canterbury Bulldogs 21.00
Sydney Roosters 21.00
New Zealand Warriors 26.00
North Qld Cowboys 34.00
Brisbane Broncos 41.00
Canberra Raiders 101.00
Newcastle Knights 101.00
Cronulla Sharks 151.00
Thursday, April 8, 2010
NRL Parramatta Eels to fire up
It's been a rough week for the Parramatta Eels with Nathan Cayless announcing it will be his last season.
We thought the death of their young fan would inspire them a couple of weeks ago, but if harsh criticism from all angles, including within the club, doesn't get some energy out of under-performing players, nothing will.
Timana Tahu has ambitions of playing Origin, but that shouldn't happen under current form. Hayne wasn't his usual self last week, and Hindmarsh's tackle count is usually a little higher.
In a way, they're lucky they are playing Canberra, a team which is also coughing up too much ball and whose players are under the microscope for a sloppy workrate.
"I certainly don't want it to happen that I get picked just because of what I've done or because I've been captain for so long," Cayless was quoted as saying.
"It's a team game and you've got to make sure that everyone's playing as well as we can."
"Your form dictates where you play. I've spoken to the coach and he said 'if you play well enough you'll be in first grade'."
In short, Parra should be nice and fired up - and should win.
We thought the death of their young fan would inspire them a couple of weeks ago, but if harsh criticism from all angles, including within the club, doesn't get some energy out of under-performing players, nothing will.
Timana Tahu has ambitions of playing Origin, but that shouldn't happen under current form. Hayne wasn't his usual self last week, and Hindmarsh's tackle count is usually a little higher.
In a way, they're lucky they are playing Canberra, a team which is also coughing up too much ball and whose players are under the microscope for a sloppy workrate.
"I certainly don't want it to happen that I get picked just because of what I've done or because I've been captain for so long," Cayless was quoted as saying.
"It's a team game and you've got to make sure that everyone's playing as well as we can."
"Your form dictates where you play. I've spoken to the coach and he said 'if you play well enough you'll be in first grade'."
In short, Parra should be nice and fired up - and should win.
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