Former Eels superstar Jarryd Hayne has declared his 2009 grand final side was “cheated” by Melbourne, with the Storm’s infamous salary cap scandal once again thrust into the spotlight this week.

With the 2025 finals series looming, reigning premiers the Panthers have been resigned to a finish outside the top-four, sparking conversation regarding whether they win yet another premiership without the double chance.

In a graphic on social media, ‘The Cast Patrol’ podcast posted that only eight teams have made the grand final from outside the top four in the NRL era.

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It prompted a stern response from Hayne, who was a member of the 2009 Eels team that lost 23-16 to the Storm in the decider after a surge from eighth spot, powered by their superstar fullback’s Dally M Medal-winning form.

“One team didn’t lose,” Hayne wrote on his verified Facebook account.

“They were cheated. Plz (sic) get it right.”

Hayne’s response comes after several examples emerged that showed the Storm still claimed their 2007 and 2009 premierships as legitimate titles.

Jarryd Hayne responds to a social media post.Source: FOX SPORTS

In early August, a photo emerged of the Melbourne club displaying their premiership trophies from those years at AAMI Park, which were stripped by the NRL.

In 2010, the Storm were found to have breached the salary cap, paying players around $3.7 million more than available across a five-season period.

Their premierships during that period were deemed to be unrecognised by the NRL, and at the time the photo emerged veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield had his say.

“Someone sent me a photo from AAMI Park the other night,” he said on Triple M.

“They have all these premiership winning trophies near where the players come onto the field — 99, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017 and 2020.

“Six grand final wins but only four premierships. 2007 and 2009 were taken off them. I don’t think those two trophies they were stripped of for salary cap cheating should be displayed.”

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In Round 26, Storm super coach Craig Bellamy also celebrated his 600th game as a senior coach and the club recognised both of their stripped titles in a tribute to him; albeit referring to grand final wins as opposed to premierships.

“Since taking the reins in 2003, Bellamy has guided Storm to 21 finals series, five Grand Final victories and six Minor Premierships,” a statement read on their website.