Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has spoken out for the first time since Cameron Munster, Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis were fined and suspended after they were caught up in a video scandal.
The trio were each suspended for one match and fined after videos emerged of the three players in a hotel room, with a white substance on the table.
In the case of Munster, the Storm slapped him with a $100,000 suspended fine and kicked him out of the leadership group.
Melbourne CEO Justin Rodski revealed the trio weren’t drug tested in the aftermath of the incident and when asked if he knew what the white substance was, he replied, “I don’t know what it was. I wasn’t in the room.”
Rodski said he believed “they were incredibly intoxicated,” with the trio also unable to confirm what the substance was.
But speaking to 4BC’s Wide World of Sports Radio, a disappointed Bellamy gave a blunt assessment of the trio’s antics, alleging they were “very well aware” that what they were doing was “illegal”.
“There’s been a lot said, it’s really disappointing for us as a club. It’s been really disappointing for the game,” Bellamy said.
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“Those guys are very aware they’ve done the wrong thing. It’s important now we get them the help and guidance they need to not be making those mistakes again.
“I don’t know whether having a snort of cocaine or a line of cocaine … is worse for your body or worse for you than half a dozen schooners. But the big difference is having half a dozen schooners isn’t illegal.”
Bellamy then alleged: “That’s what disappoints me so much, is that these guys earn a good living, they’re doing what they love in life, and what they did was illegal.
“They were very, very well aware of that.”
The players involved have maintained they can’t remember what the white substance was and Wide World of Sports is not suggesting cocaine was used by any of the players involved.
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