NRL 2022: Cameron Munster vows to fulfil Melbourne Storm contract
Cameron Munster has handed the Dolphins a big blow in their pursuit of the star five-eighth.
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Superstar Cameron Munster has categorically declared he will see out his contract with Melbourne Storm, shutting down talk he’ll seek an early release to join the fledgling Dolphins next year.
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett last week suggested the Queensland playmaker could be at the new NRL club next season, but Munster said he’d never sought an early release and won’t.
“Wayne is Wayne and probably just trying to stir the pot, but look it’s nothing to do with me,” Munster said on Saturday.
“I’m committed to the club until 2023 when my contract ends and I’m obviously not going to lose myself by asking for a release whatsoever.
“I want to see out my contract … I don’t want to be one of those people that decide to say ‘I want to leave’. I’m committed to this club and I want to make sure we can hold the trophy at the end of the year, if not next year.”
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Munster said he’d been annoyed by the constant speculation surrounding his future.
“I don’t know what’s going on … it’s getting a little bit frustrating, just because obviously I’m just worrying about my footy and trying to play good footy but I’m always getting sent different articles every day or every week,” he said.
When asked if he saw himself at Storm beyond 2023, Munster said: “If it happens, it happens. I haven’t really spoken to my partner Bianca or my management whatsoever in going any further.
“My main goal this year is to win a premiership for the Storm and next year as well.
“I’m still committed to this club and still want to make sure that we play some consistent finals footy.”
Munster said he was doing everything in his power to be available for the State of Origin decider in Brisbane after hurting his shoulder in game two.
Although, he said he wouldn’t play if he was ‘only at 50 per cent’.
“The shoulder has pulled up a lot better than I expected … so I’ll do everything I can to make sure I’m right,” he said. “And that’s obviously whether Billy (Slater) decides to pick me and if he does he thinks I can do the job. I’ve done this injury before … you just play through it, bite on the mouthguard and tough it out.”
Storm fury over Bennett’s Munster contract talk
-Brent Read
Melbourne Storm have made a second formal complaint over the Dolphins and Wayne Bennett as they ask the NRL to investigate suggestions the seven-time premiership winner and his new club are inducing Cameron Munster to break his contract.
Storm chief executive Justin Rodski spoke to the NRL on Friday after Bennett appeared on Brisbane radio and suggested Munster could join the Dolphins for their inaugural season in 2023.
Munster is under contract for next season and is unable to sign with another club until November 1. Even then, it would be for the 2024 season. The Storm were furious about Bennett’s comments and took their concerns to the NRL.
“We have spoken to the NRL and asked the question about the comments,” Rodski said.
“Cameron is contracted to the Storm in 2023 and we are not releasing, nor have we granted permission to speak to other clubs.
“While we appreciate there is ongoing speculation in regards to his future from 2024 and beyond, we have another club referencing our player when he is contracted.
“We think it should be looked at by the NRL.”
Melbourne were still licking their wounds after a disappointing loss to Manly on Thursday night when Bennett appeared on Brisbane radio station SEN on Friday morning, where he suggested the Dolphins still believed they were a chance of signing Munster for their inaugural season in 2023.
The Dolphins and Bennett have made no secret of their interest in Munster, but it is the reference to signing him for 2023 that continues to rankle the Storm.
Rival clubs are free to speak to Munster but under NRL rules, they are prevented from striking a deal until the player enters the final year of his contract.
“He’s part of the long-term view, absolutely he is,” Bennett said.
“If we don’t get him in 2023, which we believe we will, certainly 2024 is on the table for us and hopefully it’s on the table for him.
“We’ve been very deliberate, we just haven’t wasted our money on guys we don’t think are going to be a good fit for our club.
“We’ve been patient and that’s where it’s at and that’s where it’ll stay. We’ve still got a good amount of money in the salary cap to buy quality players.”
Munster failed to play for the Storm on Thursday night after damaging his shoulder in Origin II. He is expected to address the media with coach Craig Bellamy on Saturday where he will pledge his commitment to the club next season and allay concerns over his availability for Origin III.
News Corp understands that Munster has no desire to leave prematurely and has his heart set on playing 200 games for the Storm – he has played 164 to date.
The Storm’s overwhelming desire is to strike a long-term deal that would allow Munster to finish his career in Melbourne. Yet that hasn’t stopped Bennett publicly discussing his pursuit of Munster and angering Storm officials by suggesting there is a chance he could be at the Dolphins next season.
“Everyone at the club is on the same page – he is here for 2023 at least,” Bellamy said.
“If we can keep him long term, [we will]. Whatever decision he makes, when he makes that decision, he will be here next year. “
Asked whether he was annoyed by Bennett’s latest comments, Bellamy said: “They keep coming up. I am not annoyed.
“It doesn’t really worry me to be honest. We know where we are at with it. He is here next year and he is happy to be here next year.
“He is happy to honour his contract. It keeps coming up but it ain’t going to happen. He has a contract there and he doesn’t want to go next year.
“We’re very confident we can keep him and we are doing everything we can to keep him. But he will definitely be here next year. That is one thing I can say. Obviously some people want to disrupt the boat every now and then.
“We haven’t swayed. We’re all in the same boat here. He wants to honour his contract.”
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Originally published as NRL 2022: Cameron Munster vows to fulfil Melbourne Storm contract
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