Cameron Munster to enter rehab as Storm trio punished for white powder video scandal

The NRL has handed down its punishment to three stars who were involved in a white powder video scandal after their season ended.

The NRL has handed down breach notices to the Melbourne Storm trio involved in a video scandal as their punishments were revealed.

Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis were seen in a video that appeared to show them in a room with white powder after the Storm’s loss to Penrith in the preliminary final.

The video emerged just hours before the Dally M Awards last week.

The Storm released a statement today confirming the players have accepted the proposed sanctions from the NRL, which include a one-match suspension each. Additionally, Munster cops a $30,000 fine, Smith is docked $15,000 and Lewis will be $4000 lighter in the hip pocket.

In a statement, the NRL said “the fines proposed take into account the varying salaries of each individual”, while the players will also need to complete education and training at the direction of the league’s governing body.

The NRL also slapped New Zealand Warriors whiz-kid Reece Walsh with a breach notice after the teenager admitted to being caught by police in possession of cocaine last month.

He faces a $5000 fine and two-match suspension for bringing the game into disrepute.

Munster’s revelation as further sanctions revealed

In addition to the bans and fines handed down by the NRL, Melbourne has imposed its own penalties on Munster, Smith and Lewis.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Munster revealed he would enter a four-week rehabilitation program to deal with his “difficult relationship with alcohol”.

“I know I have let a lot of people down and I will do whatever it takes to restore faith in me. I want all kids out there to know that my behaviour was not OK,” he said.

As part of the club-imposed punishment, Munster has been stood down from the Storm’s leadership group, will agree to additional behavioural conditions and will abstain from alcohol for 12 months.

He has also been slapped with a huge $100,000 suspended fine, which will be paid in the event of another disciplinary breach.

Smith has been removed from Melbourne’s emerging leadership group and received a $50,000 suspended fine, while Lewis cops a $10,000 suspended fine.

Cameron Munster faces the heaviest penalty of the bunch. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

In its statement, Melbourne added: “All three players will have individualised welfare support and action plans developed in consultation with Storm medical and health professionals.

“The players will formally apologise to Storm staff in person when they return to training and will record individual messages for club members and partners.

“Importantly, they will record a video message to apologise to the other 213 past players and Melbourne Old Boys who have pulled on the Storm jersey and set the foundations of this club over 23 years.”

At the press conference, Smith said: “I know I’m a good person, but I don’t want you to judge me on my words. I want you to judge me on the actions I take in the future.”

Storm boss, NRL CEO weigh in

Melbourne CEO Justin Rodski said the decisions of Smith, Munster and Lewis had “broken the trust of the club and the game”, but the Storm were committed to supporting them to “correct their behaviour”.

“The players are genuinely remorseful for what has happened. They have made a significant error in judgment, and they are here today to own their decisions and take responsibility for their actions,” Rodski said.

“The players know they are on notice, they all have significant fines hanging over their head, and face significant consequences for any future indiscretion, no matter how big or small.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo also released a statement on the penalties dished out today.

“I understand that players have endured a long season under strict protocols,” he said. “However, there is no excuse for the behaviour we have seen over the past week.

“The players have let themselves, their clubs and the rugby league community down.

“These sanctions are designed to include an element of rehabilitation and development as well as having consequences for the individual and team.”

Brandon Smith wants to make amends moving forward. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Speaking on SEN radio last week, NRL legend Cameron Smith — who played 433 games for Melbourne — labelled the Storm players’ behaviour “dumb” and “mind-boggling”. He also took aim at them for putting the Storm’s reputation in jeopardy by inviting questions about the club’s culture that past players had worked so hard to establish.

“They’ve put so much heat and spotlight on the Melbourne Storm as an organisation and the same on their teammates and former players,” Smith said. “That’s the most disappointing thing and the thing that annoys me.

“It’s taken a lot of those people a long period of time to build that organisation and have it held in such a high regard in this country as one of the great sporting organisations not just in rugby league but across all sports in Australia.

“And then you’ve got guys wanting to make dumb choices and that can bring it all down in an instant.”

Originally published as Cameron Munster to enter rehab as Storm trio punished for white powder video scandal