Salary cap working, says Turner

CANTERBURY Bulldogs winger Steve Turner says the NRL salary cap is working, despite the Melbourne Storm and Gold Coast Titans being accused of breaching the system in the past week.<br /><br />The league launched an investigation into the Storm’s books last weekend, after allegations the club failed to disclose a third-party payment to captain Cameron Smith.<br /><br />The Titans have also come under fire over a deal involving skipper Scott Prince.<br /><br />Turner was forced to leave the Storm last season because of salary cap constraints, but said the system was fair.<br /><br />“I think the salary cap is doing a great job. Unfortunately for me I had to leave the Storm because of it, but I’m really loving my time at the Bulldogs.” Turner told BigPond Sports Weekend.<br /><br />The Storm have squeezed three high-priced stars - Smith, Greg Inglis and Billy Slater - into their starting line-up but Turner said the club's ability to get the most from all its players allowed it to thrive despite the pay restrictions.<br /><br />“I think the system is fair and it’s worked for the Storm in the last few years," he said.<br /><br />"In saying that, you’ve got blokes like Ryan Tandy, Bryan Norrie, Luke MacDougall and Brett White... Craig Bellamy is able to produce these players and turn them into regular first-graders when they were on the outer at other clubs or even playing in the Premier League.<br /><br />"Bryan Norrie was looking at playing as a captain/coach for a country side this year and now he’s playing first grade for the Storm.”<br /><br />Turner scored two tries in the Bulldogs’ win over Sydney last week and said he felt settled at his new club.<br /><br />“It was a great experience for me down there in Melbourne. Due to salary cap circumstances I had to come back to Sydney, but I’ve had a great time at the Bulldogs,” he said.<br /><br />“I was away at Melbourne for six years and going to a new club is like when you first start going to school. You’re nervous about your first day. It’s taken me a couple of weeks to adapt to how the Bulldogs play, but I really enjoyed last Saturday.”