Cameron Munster rejected $5.6 million Dolphins deal to re-sign with Melbourne Storm

Cameron Munster left more than $1 million on the table as he turned his back on becoming the Dolphins’ marquee man and the NRL’s richest player.

The Dolphins offered Cameron Munster a massive deal to join the club.

Cameron Munster knocked back a record $1.4 million-a-season deal from Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins that would have made the Queensland Origin superstar the highest paid player in the NRL.

News Corp can reveal Munster rejected a massive four-year, $5.6 million offer to be the Dolphins’ main man in a crippling blow to Bennett’s hopes of finally securing a marquee star for 2024.

Bennett was rated a huge chance of luring Munster to Melbourne but his decision to ink a four-year extension to stay at the Storm leaves the super coach still searching for a franchise player.

The Dolphins’ offer to Munster would have seen him usurp Penrith ace Nathan Cleary ($1.3 million) as the NRL’s financial top dog.

Kangaroos and Storm star Cameron Munster. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

It is understood Munster sacrificed at least $1 million in total by inking a four-year extension to remain at the Storm until the end of 2027.

But Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp hit back at suggestions the club had flouted salary-cap rules as they staved off the Dolphins to win the prized signature of Maroons maestro Munster.

Melbourne were guilty of the biggest salary-cap rort in the code’s history in 2010, exceeding the NRL’s payment ceiling by $1.7 million, and Tripp said he was mindful of retaining Munster legally to avoid a repeat of the scandal that almost sunk the Storm.

“First of all, everything we have done in terms of getting Cameron on board is cap-related and 100 percent above board,” Tripp said.

“I can’t be any clearer than that.

“The last thing I want to do is cause any drama by having our club, given what we have been through, dragged through the mud again.

“We just don’t operate that way.

Melbourne Storm chairman Matt Tripp.

“There are always going to rumours and innuendo and rubbish thrown at us, particularly from those that miss out on players like Cameron.

“I know where those rumours would be coming from. But that’s all they are - rubbish and rumours.”

The Dolphins’ failure to land Munster is a crushing setback for the NRL’s 17th franchise.

Despite missing out on a number of other big names, Bennett was hopeful of landing Munster and viewed the Storm pivot as the perfect piece in the Dolphins’ premiership-winning puzzle.

The Dolphins went hard to blow the Storm out of the water. They initially offered Munster $1 million a season, but when Melbourne upped the ante themselves last month, Bennett raised the stakes again, finally tabling a $1.4m annual offer which many believed was too good to refuse.

Throughout months of negotiations, Bennett and Dolphins powerbrokers were allegedly assured they were “in the box seat” to snatch Munster from the Storm.

The decision went down to the wire.

Munster privately advised Melbourne he would relay his decision as soon as he cleared customs for Australia’s World Cup campaign to England to avoid a torrent of calls upon making his final call.

Dolphins CEO Terry Reader and coach Wayne Bennett. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Sweating on his decision, the Storm incredibly had two press statements written - one lauding his signature, the other lamenting his departure to the Dolphins.

In the end, Munster stayed loyal, ensuring Melbourne’s comments about Munster joining the Dolphins never saw the light of day.

The 28-year-old stood to earn at least $300,000 a season more by playing under Bennett - an extra $1.2 million over four years - but Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader insists the new franchise will not hit the panic button.

“We have no hard feelings, we wish Cameron and his partner Bianca all the best and we move on,” Reader said.

“We found out from Braith (Anasta, Munster’s manager) just before it was announced by Melbourne (on Thursday night).

“The best thing about this process now is that it’s all over. We are happy now that Cam has made a decision, good luck to him and we’re not concerned, we’ll move on.

“We still have plenty of firepower in our salary cap to make sure we bring in more quality players.

“Despite this news, it’s still been a positive week for us. We’ve been able to sign Hamiso (Tabuai-Fidow) from the Cowboys for 2023 and he is a massive signing for the club.

“He will change the whole dynamic of our foundation squad.”

The Dolphins will go into their foundation year with Anthony Milford and Sean O’Sullivan as their first-choice halves. Bennett was hoping the addition of Munster the following year would give the Dolphins a blue-chip match-winner at the scrumbase.

It is understood Munster had some concerns about the Dolphins struggling in their formative years, convincing him to remain with a Storm club that is a consistent finals and premiership contender.

Reader believed the Storm were always in the driver’s seat to keep Munster, regardless of the Dolphins’ massive offer.

Cameron Munster is staying with the Storm.

“At the end of the day, every club is after quality players and we’re no different,” he said.

“It’s always tough because a player’s current club has the upper hand in keeping a Cam Munster for example, but that’s the situation we’re in and we’re dealing with it.

“We were never looking at Cameron for 2023, it was always for season 2024 so he wasn’t going to be there for our foundation season anyway.

“Melbourne have upped the ante to make it happen and good luck to them.”

Munster’s decision could have ramifications for Storm coach Craig Bellamy, who is tipped to retire at the end of next season.

Pressed on whether he thought the retention of Munster would help convince Bellamy to extend his time as head coach beyond 2023, Tripp said: “I hope so. I think when the season ends he decompresses, resets and has a think about things.

“It is very hard to make those calls in season in the heat of battle. So I really don’t know. My gut tells me he probably won’t go on beyond next year.

“He has been a bit firmer this time round. But who knows.”

Originally published as Cameron Munster rejected $5.6 million Dolphins deal to re-sign with Melbourne Storm