Article by Cameron Spink

It is incredibly disappointing to see the Melbourne Storm salary cap situation that has become a media nightmare. The consequences have been significant for the Melbourne Storm with them losing both of their recent premierships, all their points for wins this year as well as being docked $500,000 after being caught cheating on their salary cap.

This incident reflects poorly upon our community as a whole and impacts more than the Rugby League community. Firstly, the message it sends to the children and youth who support the game is appalling. Not only does it convey that it is alright to cheat but in some circumstances you can get away with it. Regardless of the penalties to the Storm all young supporters will associate with this debacle is that their heroes cheated, either willingly or unknowingly.

Secondly, it is disappointing for the code of Rugby League that this has occurred and that it has been occurring for so long. They can sit and point fingers at the Melbourne Storm administration all they want but the fact remains that it is the Rugby League's establishment that has faltered in identifying the salary cap breach.

Thirdly, it is saddening for all Australians to witness the collapse of a great club by their own hand. It is insulting to our sense of decency that a team was able to cheat allowing them to win premierships. We turn our noses up at the Storm but deep down we know that the same problem lies within each of us. We all, if given the chance, would not hesitate to place ourselves in a position where we have an “unfair advantage” over someone else. You see this with business fraud, corruption in politics as well as deception in sport. It is in our nature to disregard everyone else and want what is best for ourselves.

This brings me to the lesson I have learned from this incident. My mother use to always say to us children “If you are going to steal something, always smile at the camera”. This analogy is apt for this situation. It was only a matter of time before the Storm administration got caught out. The prohibited activities they were participating in could only be hidden for so long. It is a clear and potent moral: if you are deceiving, expect to get caught.

Unfortunately this innate human ability has translated into the church. So many things are hidden in the church congregation. We all wear masks which we use to hide behind and try to remain anonymous sinners. We're all afraid that other Christians are not going to like what they see if they saw us as we truly are. We get so use to it that we forget that we cannot hide our sins from God. I fall into this trap time and again. One little sin here and there, God won't notice. If I get angry once off, it won't matter. My jealousy was only fleeting.

We believe if we can make our sins as small as possible nobody will notice. Our tricks, however, do not fool God. He sees my many sins. He sees the way I hate, disrespect and lust. Our pretenses have no impact on Him.

So whilst being bombarded with media regarding the Storm's unethical behaviour remember that it is in our nature to try and create the “perfect storm” to fool God and others. But it is a futile effort. You may as well smile for the cameras.