Storm Cloud

Storm Cloud reveals the hidden story of Melbourne Storm. Founded in 1998 in the middle of the AFL heartland, Melbourne Storm fast established itself as one of the Australia's greatest football teams. Winning three of five grand finals and producing the best players in the game, it seemed infallible. But in 2010 it was all exposed as a fraud; the club had been rorting the salary cap. It was fined and stripped of premierships; staff were fired and shamed. No one was charged. Just two years later the team had another premiership in its hands. The rise, fall and rise of Melbourne Storm happened in a heartbeat. Paul Kennedy is a Melbourne-based television sport journalist with the ABC. He is the co-author of the expose, Hell on the Way to Heaven, which examined the Catholic Church and sexual abuse. Paul is also an experienced football coach who studies leadership and winning cultures.

Melbourne Storm was created in 1998 and situated in the heartland of a rival football code, it won three NRL premierships from five Grand Finals in its first twelve seasons and produced the best players in the game. It was the envy of clubs everywhere. But in 2010 Storms famed winning culture was exposed as a fraud. The club had cheated. The club had consistently rorted the NRLs salary cap. Justice seemed hard and fast. They were fined and stripped of their trophies. A few in club management were fired, some club directors left and player managers were given suspensions. That was it. No-one was charged. Storm played out that season with admirable resolve, despite playing for no reward. In the following two seasons Melbourne Storm fought back and in 2012 won the Grand Final. The rise, fall and rise of Melbourne Storm happened in a heartbeat, yet what actually took place? Stormcloud answers the question as it reveals the hidden story, with much untold to be revealed.