BY SCOTT DILLON

It is official – rugby league fans have had a gutful of the cheap, tabloid journalism infesting itself into the game.

On Tuesday morning, New Zealand Warriors forward Bodene Thompson was thrown off a cliff by The Daily Telegraph after it ran a story, front page with a double page spread inside, on an apparent scandalous sexual relationship he had with a woman a few years back. The pair engaged in consenting sex that also included others.

At one point it suggests, “The story has once again raised concern over the culture of NRL clubs and their actions towards women.”

Careful.

It’s easy to throw shade at Thompson but what has he actually done?

This woman – Belinda Medlyn – reportedly met some of Thompson’s former teammates whilst working as a stripper at a Townsville club (Thompson was not at the club).

Classy.

According to the story SHE then chased him on Instagram and suggested they meet.

Medlyn has told The Daily Telegraph that Thompson is late on child support payments which is being strongly denied by the Warriors who released a statement on Tuesday.

“The Vodafone Warriors have confirmed they have been aware of a personal matter involving Bodene Thompson and an ex-partner,” the statement read.

“Vodafone Warriors CEO Cameron George said Thompson and his lawyer had kept them fully informed while the club had also notified the NRL Integrity Unit about the matter.

“George said Thompson had breached team protocol which had been dealt with. He said the club had received confirmation from Thompson’s lawyer that he was up to date with child support payments, which had also been verified by documentation from the Department of Human Services in Australia.

“George added it was a personal matter which was being handled by Thompson, his ex-partner and their respective lawyers.”

Medlyn had some astounding things to say to The Telegraph.

“They [NRL players] think they’re rock stars who can do what they want, until it goes wrong.”

She then proceeded to remind them that they’re role models.

Funny that – you’d think she’d be taking some kind of responsibility for instigating this whole mess.

Forget it!

This is all Thompson’s fault according to The Daily Telegraph.

All this story has done is tarnish the game – again.

It has no place in the public eye.

This has gone too far.

We ran a poll on our Twitter account earlier on Tuesday with 96% of respondents agreeing that the media should not be reporting on the sex lives of professional athletes.

This latest attack by The Daily Telegraph on the NRL comes as it continues to shovel suggestions the game is in trouble because the AFL out rated them on TV in a few games (only metros were included) and despite the fact AFL rates horribly still in Sydney and Brisbane.

You could almost suggest that the timing of this story on Thompson during Week Two of the NRL Finals could not come at a better time for the AFL and you might also think that a scandalous tale like this makes more inroads into Sydney for AFL than meaningless blocks of advertising in the sports section that nobody bothers even looking at… hmmm.

AFL advertising in Sydney doesn’t work but NRL bashing sure do.

What do mums and dads remember?

The Aussie Rules advertisement amongst all the rugby league content or a media-spun shit storm in a teacup?

You be the judge.

*The81stMinute does not endorse all comments made in this story and is not suggesting the AFL pays for negative NRL coverage in The Daily Telegraph.