The Deloitte report into the Melbourne Storm salary cap scandal should mark the beginning of a new era. It is time for the Storm and the rugby league world to move forward. The darkest hour comes right before the dawn and now it is time to get on with the business of ensuring the Storm remain a competitive rugby league team in AFL heartland.

The report’s findings weren’t particularly surprising, nor were the comments of News boss John Hartigan at the press conference: salary cap breaches were 83% larger than first anticipated, but given the NRL has already handed down a heavy punishment, accepted by the owners of the Melbourne Storm, it doesn’t change the lay of the land.

Thirteen players, including the so-called big four, were named in the report as being the beneficiaries of illegal third-party payments but none were found to be explicitly aware they were not included in the salary cap. Essentially, the players have been cleared, though their refusal to co-operate with the report casts a pall over their position. And coach Craig Bellamy was unequivocally cleared of any wrongdoing or knowledge of the salary cap rorts.

The two most interesting points were the naming of those involved in the cheating and the dismissal of the four independent directors who have launched legal action against the NRL.

Five Storm managers were named to be complicit in the cap rorting: Brian Waldron, Matt Hanson, Cameron Vale, Paul Gregory and Peter O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan was the interesting one — he’s revered as a recruitment guru and is the only one of the five still active in rugby league. He’s now employed by the Roosters and his future in the game must surely come under severe scrutiny as, presumably, will the recruitment practices of his new club.

News Limited also finally pulled the trigger and sacked the four independent directors. It was the right move. The independent directors, led by chairman Rob Moodie, were released Thursday morning after the report was digested by News. Their challenge to the punishment was short-sighted and delusional and reflected poorly on the sport. News had no choice but to sack them.

The Storm has accepted its punishment through its ownership. It is attempting to get a legal playing roster together for the 2011 season. It is getting its house in order. It should start with a clean slate and no ill will next year.