‘Very disappointed’: Melbourne Storm responds to white powder videos

The Melbourne Storm has confirmed three players are being investigated after footage emerged of players in a room with white powder.

The Melbourne Storm has issued a statement confirming three of its players have been interviewed by the NRL Integrity Unit in relation into leaked video footage appearing to show two Storm stars in a room with white powder.

The videos spreading on social media – which have been seen by news.com.au – emerged on Monday night, rocking the NRL’s Dally M Awards gala event in Brisbane.

The video showed two players, since publicly identified to be Brandon Smith and Cameron Munster, in a crowded room with a white substance on a table.

Watch Fox Leagues’s massive line-up of Grand Final week coverage on Kayo including live pre-game, half-time and post-game coverage with full analysis from the best team in the business. New to Kayo? Start your free trial >

The footage shows Smith rolling up a banknote and picking up a credit card next to the white substance.

The NRL has been made aware of the footage and the Integrity Unit is investigating the situation.

The second video shows Munster dancing on a table and clutching what appears to be a small package containing white powder, foxsports.com.au first reported.

The Melbourne Storm finally responded to the situation with a brief statement on Tuesday.

“Melbourne Storm is aware of a video provided to the NRL Integrity Unit yesterday,” the club said in the statement.

“The club and players involved are co-operating with the NRL Integrity Unit investigation.

“As the matter is currently under investigation, the club is not in a position to comment further until this process has been completed.”

Melbourne Storm player Brandon Smith has been filmed looking like he is cutting a white powder for use with friends in an apartment.

The Storm issued another statement on Tuesday night, confirming Munster and Smith, as well as a third player — Chris Lewis — had been interviewed by the NRL Integrity Unit and had cooperated with the investigation.

“Melbourne Storm can confirm three of its players have been interviewed by the NRL Integrity Unit today,” the statement said.

“Storm CEO, Justin Rodski, said the players – Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis – had all cooperated fully with the NRL Integrity Unit investigation.”

Rodski said Melbourne was “very disappointed” with the situation and is also conducting its own investigation into the incident.

“The club is taking this matter extremely seriously. We are very disappointed to be in this position and will be thorough in our response,” he said.

“The players involved have fully cooperated with the NRL and the NRL Integrity Unit investigation. It is our understanding this investigation is unlikely to be concluded this week.

“Melbourne Storm unashamedly sets high standards and makes no apologies for protecting and upholding the professionalism and values of our organisation.

Brandon Smith and Cameron Munster as seen in the videos.

“The club is conducting its own investigation into the matter and will provide an update on our findings in conjunction with the NRL when both processes have concluded.

“The club will make no further comment on the matter until the NRL Integrity Unit has concluded its investigations.”

The videos are reported to have been filmed following the Storm’s preliminary final loss to the Panthers on Saturday.

Storm general manager of football Frank Ponissi declined to comment on the video according to The Daily Telegraph, other than to say: “There is a process to go through.”

Speaking on Fox League’s NRL Tonight, The Australian’sBrent Read said it was a “suspicious looking powder” and that the Storm was also looking into it.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy was forced to address the situation when speaking after he received the Coach of the Year Award at the Dally M event on Monday night.

“I don’t know the full details yet,” he said.

Brandon Smith at the Dally M Awards with his mum. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

“I’ll make a comment when I know that. I don’t want to be saying something and then it doesn’t turn out to be right.”

Bellamy later added: “Obviously I know of the incident,” he said. “I haven’t spoken to those guys yet in detail.

“It hurts everybody.”

News.com.au has contacted the NRL for comment.