Melbourne Storm meet with NRL, Fox and Nine to discuss ‘unfair scheduling’

THE Storm have met with the NRL, Fox Sports and Channel Nine to express their ‘serious concerns’ about ‘unfair’ scheduling.

Cameron Smith of the Storm during the NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm. Pic Darren England.

A FUMING Melbourne Storm has met with the NRL and Fox Sports and will also speak to Channel Nine to express its “serious concerns” over its “unfair” scheduling.

Storm’s gritty 15-8 final-round win over Brisbane on Thursday night was the side’s second successive five-day turnaround and third game in 10 days.

An exasperated Craig Bellamy has described the situation is “criminal,” declaring after the game at Suncorp Stadium he has never seen his team so exhausted as it prepares for its finals assault.

The only upside is the Thursday night game means Storm should receive a nine or 10-day rest before its first final.

Dreaded five-day turnarounds will become a thing of the past in 2018 when the new TV rights deal kicks in.

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But two years of pain is still to come before that happens, prompting Storm bosses to lobby the league and the broadcasters for a fairer schedule next year.

“It’s frustrating because we are not in control of it, but we have met with both the NRL and Fox Sports to register serious concerns over the inequalities of the draw,” Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy told the Herald Sun on Friday.

“We’re going to meet with Channel Nine also about the five-day turnarounds so they’re aware of the issues interstate teams face.

“We’ve had 15 (5-day turnarounds) over the past three years, and some teams have had none.

“I don’t think that is fair, particularly when you throw in the salary cap and Origin as levellers. Equally we shouldn’t have to wait for 2018 to see some balance brought to the draw.”

Melbourne played three matches in a 10 day period.

Bellamy has been a vocal critic of the shoddy scheduling, declaring that player welfare is being compromised.

“We have played three games in the last ten days and 13 of the 16 teams have played one game in that time,” he said.

“That’s how ridiculous the last ten days have been. I have never seen a team this tired.

“What’s happened to these guys in the last 10 days has been criminal.”

Storm skipper Cameron Smith also promised the players’ association will lobby the league on its concerns.

“The players have given notice to the RLPA that we aren’t happy with five day turnarounds,” Smith said.

“They will be taking that up quite strongly with the NRL.

“I would like to think there would be some movement or at least the NRL to talk to broadcasters about next year’s draw.”