NRL 2022: Cameron Munster eyes million dollar move north
Brisbane is firmly in the mix to tempt Cameron Munster to Queensland and gazump expansion rival Dolphins in the race for the Maroons and Storm star.
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Cameron Munster’s services will be offered to the Broncos in a move that could see the Queensland Origin star join forces with Adam Reynolds to form a scrumbase dream team at Brisbane.
Munster’s manager Braith Anasta told The Sunday Mail he will explore a number of options on the open market in the coming months, including the prospect of Munster joining the Broncos in 2024 to solve their five-eighth crisis.
Munster, off-contract at the end of next season, has rejected a two-year extension from the Storm, opening the door for new expansion franchise the Dolphins to make a big-money play for the Maroons maestro.
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Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett, who worked magic with Munster in Queensland’s famous 2020 Origin series triumph, has personally contacted the Storm ace armed with a four-year, $4 million deal to make him the face of the NRL’s 17th team.
But the Broncos are now a serious threat for Munster’s signature - if they want to be.
Melbourne’s latest offer of $750,000-a-season is well shy of Munster’s $1 million price tag and Anasta says he will reach out to Broncos bosses offering one of the code’s most accomplished playmakers.
“The Broncos are certainly one club we are looking at,” Anasta said.
“The reality is Cameron Munster is one of the best players in the competition and there a very limited number of genuine premiership-winning halves.
“I’d be shocked if the Broncos weren’t interested.
“There’s been no formal approach from the Broncos, but over the next few weeks and months we will be at looking at several options and Brisbane is definitely one club on the radar for Cameron.”
A scholarship holder with the Broncos as a teenager, Munster was famously rejected for a full-time contract and the Rockhampton product eventually signed a rookie deal with the Storm.
But with the Broncos now struggling to find a dominant five-eighth to strike a combination with halfback Reynolds, Munster has been linked with a shock return to Red Hill.
Brisbane have used a number of five-eighths this season, including Billy Walters, Albert Kelly and Tyson Gamble, but have yet to settle on a consistent performer in the No.6 jumper.
It is understood Broncos coach Kevin Walters has internally discussed the pros and cons of signing Munster, but Brisbane have not progressed to lodging an expression of interest at this stage.
Broncos head-of-football Ben Ikin is mindful of the club’s succession plan in the halves. Brisbane chiefs have huge wraps on teenage playmaker Ezra Mam and are wary of blocking his development as a potential five-eighth superstar by luring Munster to the Broncos.
However, while Mam is an unknown quantity in the NRL, Munster is a proven performer, having won two premierships and delivered on the biggest stages for Queensland and Australia.
Walters, the former Queensland coach, has ties with Munster, having handed the 27-year-old his State of Origin debut in 2017.
While his immediate focus is on his halves options this season, Walters left the door ajar for Munster to wear Broncos colours.
“Every club would love to have Cameron Munster,” he said.
“He is still contracted to the Storm until the end of next year. But that’s not one for me, that’s one for others around me at the Broncos to discuss.
“If there are good players on the market, you look at them, but we don’t need to discuss that right now - Cam Munster playing here - we have Tyson Gamble in the No.6 jumper and he has an opportunity.”
Anasta, himself a former NSW Origin five-eighth, believes a Munster-Reynolds scrumbase alliance could transform the Broncos into a genuine title contender.
“Five-eighth is a position they could really strengthen by signing Cameron,” he said.
“Putting on my hat as a footy fan, not as his manager, it’s clearly obvious Munster could enhance the Broncos as a team and enhance their chances of winning a premiership.
“A Munster-Adam Reynolds halves combination would be formidable.
“He is a Queenslander, he has played Origin and Test football so the Broncos are a natural option for Cameron.
“I say all this pending what Melbourne decide to do with Cam. We haven’t heard back from Melbourne since we rejected their last offer six weeks ago.
“Cameron loves the Storm and they will always be a priority.
“There’s no animosity at all towards Melbourne, Cameron is contracted there for another year, so we don’t really need to hurry at all.”
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Originally published as NRL 2022: Cameron Munster eyes million dollar move north
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