Melbourne Storm scandal 2021: Latest news and updates on white-powder scandal

Storm legend Cameron Smith has launched a scathing attack on his former teammates involved in the white-powder scandal — and even took aim at the club.

Melbourne legend Cameron Smith has launched a stinging attack on his former teammates, lashing Cameron Munster and Brandon Smith as “dumb” for their roles in the Storm’s white-powder scandal.

Smith, Melbourne’s greatest player and the code’s most-capped servant with 430 NRL games, delivered a no-holds-barred attack on Munster, Smith and Chris Lewis for tarnishing the Storm’s reputation he helped spend 20 years building.

And, in another surprise salvo, Smith took aim at Melbourne management, accusing the club of failing to act proactively when News Corp exclusively revealed the Storm trio were being investigated by the NRL integrity unit.

Smith said he was shattered by the revelations and condemned Munster and Smith – with whom he won last year’s NRL premiership – for tainting the famous legacy built by a host of Storm legends.

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Cameron Munster and Cameron Smith wiht the 2020 premiership trophy. Smith has lashed his former teammates. Picture: Spencer/Getty Images

“For those players to go out and make such a dumb choice, it is really disappointing,” Smith said on SEN radio.

“I’d like to think they’re smarter than the way they’ve acted.

“To allow outsiders into a room and they’ve got phones out filming … it’s mind-boggling to see these guys make these poor choices.

“It’s taken a long time for people to build the club and have it held in such high regard across all sports and you’ve got guys wanting to make dumb choices and they can bring it all down in an instant.

“That’s what annoys me.

“I am extremely disappointed with what I’ve seen and was told had happened post that preliminary final.

“I haven’t been a part of the club this year, I wasn’t playing there, but they are former teammates of mine and I am very proud of what myself, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Ryan Hoffman, Dallas Johnson and many other players created.

“Even before us guys like Matt Geyer and Robbie Kearns … all these great players, what they sacrificed and what they put into the organisation to make it what it is.

Smith said it was a dumb choice from the trio. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

“In the first few years, very few people wanted the Melbourne Storm in the competition, they didn’t want us to survive, but all those players and staff members who moved away to be in Melbourne, they forged on and persevered and they built the club into what is considered one of the greatest sporting organisations in this country.

“I am being completely honest. It is extremely, extremely disappointing.”

The NRL is set to throw the book at the Storm triumvirate with Munster, Smith and Lewis facing fines of up to $40,000 and suspensions of between two to four games for their hotel-room antics.

The Storm are launching a concurrent investigation and are also set to mete out hefty financial penalties on the trio.

Smith said the sight of Munster and Smith looking sheepish at the Dally M Awards was embarrassing and he criticised Storm bosses for not getting on the front foot immediately.

The former Queensland and Australian skipper applauded the actions of the Warriors, who ordered Reece Walsh to front the media and apologise for his actions after confessing to cocaine use and possession.

“I don’t think it’s a widespread problem at the Storm, I hope it’s not, I really hope it’s not,” he said.

“I understand in society there are issues out there with drugs and young people but at the end of the day these guys are in a very different position to most other young people in the normal world.

“Everyone, particularly league fans, they appreciated how quickly the Warriors addressed their situation.

“If Melbourne had their time again, they may not agree with this, but they should have got on the front foot quicker and addressed it.

“I only learnt about it (the Storm white-powder allegations) as I walked into the Dally M ceremony in Brisbane (on Monday night).

“That’s when it unfolded, and it looked awkward.

“I could sense how awkward Cameron Munster and Brandon Smith felt sitting there at those tables. They were very quiet, very unlike themselves where they are usually upbeat and lively characters.

“Was it left to Craig Bellamy (coach) to address the media after he received the coach of the year award?

“A club official should have got up in front of the media straight up, knocked it on the head and got it out of the way and allowed the findings to come out.”

Originally published as Melbourne Storm scandal 2021: Latest news and updates on white-powder scandal