Melbourne deny appeal reports

Melbourne will not appeal the penalty handed down to them by the NRL for breaching the salary cap, says chairman Dr Rob Moodie.

Reports in the press hinted that the Storm, who thrashed New Zealand Warriors 40-6 in their first game since their penalty yesterday, would appeal their punishment.

Captain Cameron Smith said the players were hopeful the NRL might allow them to accrue points this season, but a club statement read: “Melbourne Storm Chairman, Dr Rob Moodie, has tonight confirmed that no decision has been made to appeal these penalties.”

Storm are believed to have exceeded the salary cap by up to $700,000 in 2010 and will more than likely have to shed players at the season’s end to avoid further punishments.

But hooker Smith said the players will take pay cuts if it means staying together. He said: “I’ve got no idea what our rights are, that’s up to [NRL chief executive] David Gallop. But I can tell you that this group, we’d love to stay together.

“I reckon we’ve worked too hard for too long to be dismantled. I’d like to think we’ll be doing our best to stay together.”