Melbourne Storm star Jesse Bromwich to pay price for alleged drug scandal

STORM star Jesse Bromwich admits to drinking “far too much alcohol” but has no memory of what took place outside a Canberra nightclub.

Jesse Bromwich in action for New Zealand on Friday night.

MELBOURNE Storm forward Jesse Bromwich admits to drinking “far too much alcohol” but has no memory of what took place outside a Canberra nightclub in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Storm slapped Bromwich with a two-match ban after he was sensationally caught up in the NRL’s cocaine crisis.

Bromwich, 27, has taken full responsibility for breaching the Storm’s strict code of conduct.

He also stepped down from the club’s leadership group and surrendered his New Zealand captaincy.

Bromwich, who only recently signed a blockbuster three-year contract extension, will donate his match payment — about $20,000 — from the Anzac Test on Friday night at GIO Stadium.

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Jesse Bromwich in action for New Zealand on Friday night.

Bromwich forfeited his right to appeal the sanctions.

“I’d like to start by firstly apologising to my family, Melbourne Storm, New Zealand Rugby League, the NRL, my teammates, the sponsors, and the members and fans,” Bromwich said in a statement.

“I regret making the choice of staying out with my teammates until the early hours of Saturday morning, as well as consuming an excessive amount of alcohol.

“I take full responsibility for the poor choices I made, I am devastated and my actions were out of character.

“Playing footy for Melbourne Storm and the Kiwis is a great honour and I apologise for letting down everyone involved in both organisations.

“I will be stepping down from my leadership roles with Melbourne Storm and the Kiwis, I understand I am a role model to the young players and the poor choices I made do not reflect my personal values.

“I fully accept the sanctions that have been handed down.”

The Storm handed down the sanctions on Sunday after consultation with the NRL, the league’s Players Association and Bromwich’s management.

The fearsome forward is likely to also receive a strike under the NRL’s illicit drugs code.

Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy revealed Bromwich’s recollection of what occurred on Friday night was “quite hazy”.

“Jesse’s knowledge or recollection of that evening are quite hazy at this stage,” Donaghy said.

“Clearly there was a number of players that partook in far too much alcohol which is a concerning matter in itself.

“His recollection of the evening, he is somewhat unsure of.

“What he does admit to is consuming far too much alcohol and putting himself in a position of risk.

“His recollection of what’s been made headline news the last 24 hours is quite limited.

“That’s extremely disappointing in its own right and we have expressed our disappointment to Jesse.”

A remorseful Bromwich returned to Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

He met with Donaghy and Storm football director Frank Ponissi on Sunday.

“Melbourne Storm has extremely high standards and we make no apologies for this,” Donaghy said.

“This has been a very tough lesson for Jesse. He is a terrific person and this is very much out of character and he is incredibly disappointed in himself but he will learn from it.”

Bromwich did not know he was embroiled in the drugs controversy until he was told about media reports late on Saturday morning.

Donaghy said problems with drugs and alcohol are no greater in the NRL than society in general.

But the Storm boss has called for greater testing of all players.

Originally published as Melbourne Storm star Jesse Bromwich to pay price for alleged drug scandal