Fans support Storm amid hard times

They can take our points but they can never diminish our pride.
That was the overwhelming sentiment from passionate Melbourne Storm fans as a sea of
purple surged into Etihad Stadium on Sunday night.
To the fans, it matters little that a win against the New Zealand Warriors will not
reap any competition points.
Along with stripping Storm of two premierships, the NRL has banned the club from
earning any points this season.
"I reckon it's not fair because we're not the first and we definitely won't be the
last club that this happens to," Storm fan Aleena Barker, 17, of Epping told AAP
outside the ground.
"Playing tonight, we sort of don't get anything out if it but I guess we get to keep
our pride."
Mark Sanford,27, of South Morang, who has supported the Storm since 1998, took his
two-year-old daughter Piper to the game.
"I'm here to support my team when they need us the most," he told AAP.
When he learnt of the salary cap breaches and heavy penalties this week, he broke down.
"I was actually driving my truck at the time and I actually broke down in tears," he
said.
"I put my heart and soul into my team. I was pretty distraught but once I calmed
down I just thought they need me so I'll stick by them."
Warriors fan Chris Donaldson, 23, of East Keilor, said that in recent years he had
assumed the Storm were over the salary cap.
"I hope league stays in Melbourne," he said.