BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Morley: Innocent parties made to suffer



By Adrian Morley Sydney Roosters forward and BBC Sport Online columnist

The Bulldogs have been the centre of attention for most of the season thanks to their amazing exploits on the field of play.

Now the NRL leaders are in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The people who end up suffering the most are the players and the fans

Adrian Morley

The decision to dock them 37 points and fine them Aus$500,000 for breaching the salary cap is harsh in my opinion.

Bulldogs' title dreams dashed

They needed to be punished, but the people who end up suffering the most are the players and the fans.

Their season has been turned on its head because of the failings of just a few people.

It must be a heart-breaking and a totally shattering experience.

If the Bulldogs had not been as successful as they have been this season, then I don't think the punishment would have been so severe.

But they are guilty of wrong-doing and have been made to pay.

Whether the Bulldogs appeal against the decision remains to be seen, but they are strong enough to bounce back.

The club has a proud heritage and a great set of supporters.

A Bulldogs' fan learns her club has been docked 37 points
The Bulldogs' fans have seen their club go from top to bottom
They may lose players in the short term because no-one will want to take a pay cut.

And that will affect the club's ability to mount the kind of challenge they have done this season.

But they were able to build a successful side without the need for any real superstars and they can do it again.

The Bulldogs' demotion has naturally given the table a very different look.

The Roosters have moved up a place, but the teams who have benefitted most are Melbourne, Parramatta, Northern Eagles, Canberra and St George.

Morley suffers new blow

They are all on the fringes of the top eight but now have an extra play-off spot to fight for.

As far as the Roosters are concerned, we seem to be hitting form at just the right time.

We had a difficult start to the season but are back at full strength, which means I'm fit again.


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