THE National Rugby League was thrown deeper into turmoil last night after it was revealed that two players from the Melbourne Storm were being investigated by police over an alleged rape.

With the NRL still reeling over the gang rape investigation that has embroiled the Bulldogs, based in Sydney’s southwest, Victorian police last night revealed they had interviewed two men over the alleged sex assault in a Melbourne flat last month.

A spokesman for the Storm, John Avery, told The Australian two players were assisting police over the alleged rape.

“The club is doing everything in its power to assist the police where possible,” he said. “The alleged incident did not occur at a club function or at any official Storm engagement.”

He emphasised that the investigation was in its early stages and no charges had been laid. “The players are just assisting police,” he said. “The club is obviously hoping the issue will go no further than an investigation.”

The two players are believed to have come forward about the February 8 incident in a South Yarra unit after the police contacted the club. The woman made the complaint some time after the attack.

But the Melbourne Storm had failed to inform the NRL about the investigation. NRL boss David Gallop apparently only found out last night.

As the Bulldog investigation continues, the NRL was further embarrassed yesterday when the Australian Test captain — Queenslander Darren Lockyer — told a tasteless joke at a corporate function about the Bulldogs scandal.

Lockyer faces a fine of up to $10,000 for bringing the game into disrepute after stunning more than 500 guests at Brisbane’s Sheraton Hotel with the joke about the Bulldogs and legendary St George footballer Johnny Raper.

Lockyer told the function: “You know, St George, they won 11 premierships with one Raper, imagine how many Canterbury are going to win.”

With Raper incensed, Lockyer later apologised. “I’ve misjudged the situation. At no stage did I intend to demean anyone or trivialise the seriousness of events of the past few weeks.”

But the damage had already been done, with the gaffe coming as police investigating the alleged Bulldogs rape scandal claimed to have come up with a series of new leads yesterday after receiving prepared statements from six more players.

Deputy NSW Police Commissioner Dave Madden said investigators from Strike Force McGuigon, formed to look into the February 22 incident, would now extend their stay in Sydney.

Mr Madden said six of the nine players interviewed yesterday had “provided prepared statements”.

The Australian understands that the first 11 players declined to answer police questions themselves, speaking only through their lawyers.

One player, Hazem El Masri, yesterday refused to submit a DNA sample, or provide a statement under the advice of his lawyer, Adam Houda. “Arguably, he is the best role model in the game,” Mr Houda said. “With his standing, he finds it demeaning to be involved in these types of inquiry.

“He finds it insulting to be questioned over these allegations.”

Mr Houda predicted police would today seek a court order forcing El Masri to give a DNA sample but added that this was unlikely to succeed because police did not regard his client as a suspect.

At least 18 of 20 players have now declined to directly respond to police questioning.

Sport — Pages 27-28