NRL 2022: Cameron Munster rejects latest Storm deal, prepares to test value on open market
As Cameron Munster prepares to hit the open market, coach Kevin Walters has revealed Brisbane’s position when it comes to signing the Storm superstar.
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Brisbane coach Kevin Walters says the Broncos are unlikely to join the Dolphins in a Queensland bidding war for Cameron Munster as the Storm ace prepares to test his value on the open market.
As revealed by News Corp, Munster plans to explore his options as a free agent from November 1, turning up the heat on Melbourne ahead of Friday night’s clash against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Munster is contracted to the Storm until the end of 2023 and the Dolphins are armed with a massive four-year, $1.3 million-a-season offer to lure the champion pivot to Queensland from 2024.
Munster’s manager Braith Anasta told the NRL 360 program on Thursday night that several clubs have already expressed interest in the Maroons ace, who was a Broncos scholarship holder as a teenager.
But Walters all-but ruled the Broncos out of the equation, with Brisbane lacking the salary-cap space to afford Munster as they build their scrumbase future around boom 19-year-old playmaker Ezra Mam.
Asked if he is interested in signing Munster, Walters said: “We haven’t had a discussion as yet about Munster.
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“That (signing Munster) is something that is down the track. We will worry about it next year, but we have a game to worry about first and our focus is on the Storm.
“Naturally every club would be interested in him, but my only interest is the Storm.
“There are two or three guys up there (as the NRL’s No.1 player) and Munster is one of the best players in the competition.
“He had a great Origin series and he has backed it up since for Melbourne.
“As a player and coach, you want to face these guys and see what sort of plans you can come up with to limit the damage he does.”
Munster has been a revelation for Melbourne in recent weeks with his cameo switch to fullback and former Maroons coach Walters is wary of the playmaking maestro he blooded as a Queensland Origin debutant in 2017.
“Like all teams, we have to pressure him when we can,” Walters said.
“If you cut him, he bleeds red blood, or it might be maroon blood for Cameron ... he is a good player and we have to limit his opportunities by cutting down his time.
“He is hard to track from fullback. We have spoken about him in our meetings and it’s now about getting out there and doing the job.”
While the Broncos won’t be tabling an offer for Munster, they are on the verge of securing reborn winger Corey Oates to a new deal.
The 27-year-old has scored a career-best 19 tries this season and is set to be rewarded with a two or three-year extension, with Walters confirming Oates is staying at the Broncos.
“I expect that (Oates’ retention) to happen in the next few weeks with Corey,” he said.
“He has had a great season with us, one of his best in his time at the club, so we are looking forward to getting him back here next year and hopefully a few more years after that.”
Rivals prepare massive bids as Munster rejects Storm
Melbourne are fighting an uphill battle to retain Cameron Munster with the Queensland Origin star rejecting the Storm’s latest offer as he prepares to test his value on the open market.
News Corp can reveal Munster is set to put himself up for sale from November 1 in a blow to Melbourne’s hopes of retaining the in-form pivot ahead of Friday night’s blockbuster against the Broncos.
Munster’s manager Braith Anasta confirmed the Storm sensation plans to head to free agency over summer – opening the door for the Dolphins to ramp-up a $5.2 million poaching bid for the Maroons maestro.
As revealed by News Corp, Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins are prepared to make Munster the highest-paid player in the NRL, ready to table a formal offer worth around $1.3m annually over four years from the 2024 season.
The Storm have made two offers to Munster, the latest worth an estimated $800,000-a-season over three years, but Anasta says the Origin ace will explore his options in a move that will sound alarm bells for Melbourne.
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“We are going to wait until November at this stage and test the open market,” Anasta said.
“Melbourne are definitely fighting hard to keep him — and a deal with the Storm could still be done — but we won’t be doing anything until November 1.
“They have put an offer to us a couple of times and we’ve said no we’re not ready.
“At this stage, Melbourne’s deal is not at the point to convince Cameron to sign.
“I feel Cameron is a $1 million player and come November, I’m sure he would get a number of offers in that vicinity.”
Anasta insists Munster is happy at the Storm — he is playing the best football of his career after fighting back from his off-field dramas last year — but Melbourne are running out of funds under the salary cap.
The Storm have secured their holy trinity of halfback Jahrome Hughes, hooker Harry Grant and flashy fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen to mega deals, leaving Melbourne vulnerable to a big-money poaching raid.
Bennett’s Dolphins are ready to strike.
Mindful of the Dolphins threat, the Storm are exploring third-party opportunities to bolster Munster’s base deal under the salary cap, but the pivot faces a $1.2 million sacrifice if he stays loyal to Melbourne.
“Cameron is such a great player and his performances are getting better every week,” Anasta said.
“Why would he rush into a new deal? He will keep playing with the freedom he has got, he has a clear mind and in November he can decide what he wants to do.
“There’s been some talk that he is about to sign with the Dolphins but that’s not the case.
“He’s at the stage of his career where he has put the dramas behind him. He loves playing and living in Melbourne, but the instruction I have from Cameron is to wait and see what’s available on the open market.”
Former Queensland Origin lock Scott Sattler urged Munster to finish his career as a proud one-club Storm legend.
“I think Munster deserves to be the highest-paid player in the game. I think he deserves $1.2 million or $1.3 million,” Sattler said.
“Hopefully Melbourne can find a way to keep him because their model has always been having four key players and building a team around that.
“I would like to see Munster stay at the Storm because they signed him as a teenager and gave him their first chance when no-one else would.
“But whether Melbourne can match the money from the Dolphins or another NRL club ... it’s going to be difficult.”
Haas reveals clue to his Broncos future
Payne Haas says his preference is to stay at the Broncos as the NSW Origin enforcer scuppered speculation he could emulate his mentor Sonny Bill Williams by quitting the NRL to test himself in European rugby.
One of the NRL’s most polarising figures, the controversial Haas opened up about his future at the Broncos in the lead-up to Friday night’s blockbuster against Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.
The 22-year-old dropped a bombshell on the Broncos three months ago by requesting an immediate release and, ever since, question marks have persisted over Haas’ commitment to Brisbane beyond this season.
Haas is contracted until the end of 2024 and his management will sit down with Brisbane
CEO Dave Donaghy and football boss Ben Ikin at season’s end to determine if the Blues prop will be in Broncos colours next year.
Haas has attracted interest from European rugby outfits and the Broncos are mindful of history potentially repeating.
In 2008, NRL champion Sonny Bill, who helped Haas with his conversion to Islam three years ago, sensationally quit the Bulldogs and walked out on the NRL with a secret flight to play European rugby for French outfit Toulon.
There are fears Williams could influence Haas, who played rugby union growing up, to test himself abroad, but Brisbane’s three-time Paul Morgan medallist scoffed at suggestions he is unhappy and wants out of the Broncos.
“I wouldn’t say I have an itch (to leave),” said Haas, admitting he was shocked by reports linking him to European rugby. “I don’t even know where that (European rugby’s interest) came from, I don’t know how that came out. Europe is pretty cool, but I’m not worried about that. I have goals I want to tick off here in the NRL.
“I played rugby as a kid, but I’m not sure about all that (going overseas), I’m enjoying my time playing rugby league.
“I am happy at the Broncos. My family live here (on the Gold Coast) and my preference is to stay at the Broncos, I will say that, but things happen in rugby league and I have to sort that out.
“I’m only 22 and people forget I’m still young, so I’m learning my trade here and I want to tick some goals off first.”
Those goals include regularly playing finals at Red Hill and chasing premiership success that could ultimately determine whether Haas sees a long-term future at the Broncos.
The NSW Origin hardman has also been linked with the Roosters and Bulldogs, but both clubs insist they cannot afford the $1 million-plus price tag his management is seeking.
Haas was sensationally booed by Broncos fans against the Titans in May — 24 hours after his request for a release — but the veteran of 77 NRL games says he holds no bitterness towards Brisbane fans.
“I guess with what happened that week (asking for a release), I understood why it (being booed) happened,” Haas said. “It’s all good. I can understand why the fans were like that. I’m not angry at them, it is what it is and I’ve moved on from that.”
Asked if he now regrets asking for a release, Haas said: “I can’t change what happened.
“I am happy here. We have put talks on the backburner until the end of the year and we will see what happens.
“I am close to the boys and I’m enjoying my football here, so at the end of the year hopefully we can sort something out.”
The Broncos named an unchanged team to the side which beat the Knights 28-10 last week and Haas says Melbourne, the best team of the past 20 years, will be the ultimate litmus test of Brisbane’s title bona fides.
“Melbourne are the benchmark and to have a game like this will help us a lot,” he said.
“Just putting in a good performance against a top-four team isn’t good enough anymore, so we need to beat Melbourne this week. We have to prove it to each other.
“It’s a big end of season for us and the top eight isn’t guaranteed for us, so the next three weeks, we need to be up for it.”
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Originally published as NRL 2022: Cameron Munster rejects latest Storm deal, prepares to test value on open market
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