NRL news: Christian Welch asks Storm fans to stick by Brandon Smith and Cameron Munster

Storm players Brandon Smith, Cameron Munster and Chris Lewis fronted their teammates and club staff at training to apologise for their off-season antics.

Split art for Storm white powder yarn

The three Storm players at the centre of the “white powder scandal” have taken another step on the road to recovery by formally apologising to their teammates, coaches and the club’s administrative staff on their return to Melbourne headquarters.

Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis were fined and placed under strict behavioural conditions after being filmed in a room with white powder immediately after their season came to an end.

In Munster’s case, the Queensland and Australian star recently completed a four-week course at a rehabilitation centre and will abstain from alcohol for 12 months as part of his recovery.

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Brandon Smith was back at pre-season training with the Storm on Tuesday.

The incident was damaging to the club and the code and, while the trio had publicly apologised, Tuesday marked the first time they had been able to look teammates, coaches and Storm staff in the eye.

News Corp understands the trio apologised to Melbourne’s administrative staff for the damage they had done to the club’s brand, and the resultant impact it had on their ability to generate corporate and fan support.

Brandon Smith and Christian Welch of the Storm watch on from the bench during the NRL Preliminary Final match between the Melbourne Storm and the Penrith Panthers. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

It is understood they then went into a meeting with football staff and teammates where they again apologised for bringing undue and damaging attention on the club.

Smith, in particular, has never been far form the headlines over the off-season, having held contract talks with rival clubs during a tour of the east coast.

Smith initially met North Queensland then caught up with the Dolphins and the Gold Coast Titans. He finished his whistlestop tour of the eastern seaboard by holding talks with the Sydney Roosters, playing golf and sharing bottles of wine with Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

Smith, who will join the Roosters in 2023, infuriated Storm officials by talking about the club having a “massive” drinking culture while on a podcast with media and clothing label YKTR.

He was expected to receive an icy reception on his return to training, although he seemed happy enough in footage taken by the club.

Melbourne forward Christian Welch, who recently signed a long-term deal with the Storm, said on Tuesday that he believed Smith was fully committed to Melbourne in 2022 amid talk that he could move ahead of schedule, if not to the Roosters than to another club for 12 months.

Cameron Munster has returned to the Storm in great shape for the pre-season. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“I know people are a bit, I suppose, disillusioned with Brandon at the moment, but he kind of just says things pretty quickly,” Welch said.

“I know he’s going to rip in for this team and is fully committed to our club and so I just ask all the fans and members … I know you might be a bit upset with him at the moment, but he’s going to rip in and give us his all and we’re going to have a great season ahead.”

Welch also said Munster had returned to the club in great shape following a tumultuous off-season. “I think he’s the lightest he’s ever been and is really committed and is obviously making some really healthy choices,” he said.

Rival clubs approach Storm for shock player swap

- Dean Ritchie

They’re angry – but seemingly ready to forgive.

Melbourne has rejected approaches from four rival NRL clubs to release Brandon Smith for next season and instead look set to give the sought-after utility forward an opportunity for redemption in Storm colours.

In the wake of his controversial podcast appearance, The Daily Telegraph can reveal interested clubs have sought an immediate player swap with Melbourne for Smith but Storm management have so far shunned the offers put on the table.

Given the difference between the Storm’s valuation and the players being offered in return, it now appears certain Smith will be pardoned and told to return to pre-season training – but he’ll be met with some hard eyes from coaching staff and teammates.

It comes after Smith publicly revealed his admiration for the Sydney Roosters, the team he has since agreed to join from 2023, during an expletive-laden YKTR podcast last week.

Sydney Roosters-bound Brandon Smith will be expected to report for pre-season training. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Despite knowing Smith blundered badly, Melbourne, now that the initial anger has subsided, wants to give its star player another chance in 2022.

Smith will be made to return to Storm headquarters and explain his behaviour to club bosses.

As one well-placed source said: “He stuffed up but will be given the benefit of the doubt. He will be at Melbourne in 2022.”

Smith has been bluntly told, though, that his club – headed by coach Craig Bellamy – are filthy at his comments and attitude on the now infamous podcast.

Four clubs have made contact with Storm officials about a player swap, but Melbourne has been far from impressed with the quality of player being offered up to replace Smith.

In follow-up conversations, Melbourne asked each club – perhaps cheekily — for a particular player in return but that was denied.

While happy to engage in conversations about a swap, Melbourne always wanted to retain Smith for the final year of his contract in 2022.

The Storm knows he is a quality player who can help push the club towards a premiership next season.

Rival clubs were led to believe Melbourne is vulnerable and desperate to immediately punt Smith, who will quit the club to join the Sydney Roosters from 2023.

Storm officials are now working hard to repair the damage Smith has done and work through the unwanted dramas which arose from the podcast.

The prospect of only having Smith on their books for one season before he joins the Roosters hasn’t appeared to deter rival clubs, but they aren’t prepared to swap a player of equal ability for a short-term boost.

In an expletive-laden interview, Smith took potshots at Melbourne while praising his new club, the Roosters.

Smith even called Bellamy an “old f…er.” Bellamy wouldn’t take Smith’s calls for days.

Denigrating Melbourne’s successful culture, Smith said: “F..k, we have so many piss ups (at Melbourne) and it’s no secret piss-ups f…ing build relationships. At the Storm, drinking is a massive part of the culture.”

During the week, Smith apologised to Melbourne through his social media platforms.

“My focus is now fully turned to the future with the Melbourne Storm and all the amazing opportunities laid before me,” he said. “Whatever happens I will give 100%, it’s all I know.”

Smith swore throughout the interview, saying ‘f..k’ 61 times while using the c-bomb on three occasions.

Originally published as NRL news: Christian Welch asks Storm fans to stick by Brandon Smith and Cameron Munster