more nrl clubs fined for breaches!

The premiership-winning Sydney Roosters, Brisbane, Melbourne and Newcastle were fined more than $US230,000 ($NZ425,000) after the breaches, covering the past three seasons, were discovered during an audit.

Some of the breaches were found to relate to the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons, the NRL said in a statement.

The NRL was in a state of shock last August when the premiership leaders, western Sydney club the Bulldogs, were docked 37 competition points and sent tumbling to the bottom of the table for overpaying players and breaching the salary cap.

The Bulldogs were fined $US270,000 and the players took pay cuts for 2003.

NRL Chief Executive David Gallop said the latest fines reflected the NRL's determination to continue enforcing the cap.

"It needs to be stressed that the offences in relation to the salary cap do not compare with the issues encountered at the Bulldogs last year, and, as we flagged earlier, are very much in keeping with the type of offence that has incurred a fine in the past," Gallop said.

"It is a natural part of policing the cap that there will be fines from time to time."

Sydney chief executive Bernie Gurr told reporters the fine would not tarnish his team's 2002 premiership success.

"Other clubs have had salary cap fines. What you have to remember is this relates to one player. In no way does it tarnish our premiership," Gurr said.

Meanwhile, Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has bagged the introduction of a golden point, warning it will put referees at risk.

In a move to reduce the number of drawn matches, the new rule will see ten minutes added to a game if it's tied after 80 minutes.

Bennett said referees might be unwilling to award a penalty against a home side in extra time for fear of fan reprisals

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so really..shouldnt the rosters loose the title, and it be given to the warriors? :/

new the idea for extra time, might be interesting..im not sure if its gonna be a good thing..it might addd a bit more excitment into a game...but we'll have to wait and see how good it is

Fuck that we dont wont the tital by default,we want to win by scoring more points than the opposition.

just goes to show that the Aussies have always been good at and willing to cheat. A fine isn't much of a punishment for Newcastle, broncos etc they should also be docked some competition points. Hit them where it hurts. 2 to 6 would probably do the trick and still give them the chance to qualify.

Go the Warriors!

What do you expect from a country that was founded on a penal colony, styln?

Well we didnt win it by points so lets get it by accusing them of cheating! And then kick thier arses this year.

It might be an indication of how innocent we are by whether the warriors call for the title or just let it lie.

A fine is quite ironic when the only clubs to break the salary cap are those with plenty of money to spare. I don't think the crimes deserve anywhere near the punishment that the bulldogs got though.

I guess its about making a statement tho jah they will only need to do that once or twice till clubs get smarter about hiding it.