‘Really spicy’: Surprise suitor looming in Cameron Munster contract saga

As speculation mounts over the future of Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster, one club has emerged as a surprised suitor for him.

A surprise suitor has emerged for Cameron Munster. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The Brisbane Broncos have been urged to throw their hat into the ring and try and lure Cameron Munster away from the Melbourne Storm.

The star five-eighth is out of contract at the end of next season and proved why he is one of the best playmakers in the NRL with a masterclass against Cronulla last weekend.

Munster is believed to be on $1.2 million next season and the Storm has offered him around $750,000 a year to stay in 2024 and beyond.

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The 27-year-old is in career-best form and is being hotly pursued by the NRL’s expansion side the Dolphins, which will join the league next year under veteran coach Wayne Bennett.

But several NRL pundits believe the Dolphins aren’t the only team that should be in the running to secure Munster’s signature.

So far this season, the Broncos have struggled to settle on a five-eighth to regularly partner Adam Reynolds in the halves.

Reynolds has been paired with Billy Walters and Albert Kelly before Kelly sustained a long-term foot injury earlier this month.

“I’m going to throw a cat among the pigeons this morning,” Channel 7 reporter Michelle Bishop told SEN on Thursday.

“There’s whispers now that the Brisbane Broncos are about to enter the race (for Munster).

“They’re desperate for a long-term No. 6, they’ve changed their halves four times across the first seven rounds.

Cameron Munster is the hottest property in the NRL. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“Tyson Gamble will obviously partner Adam Reynolds against the Dogs, but the Albert Kelly and Billy Walters situation just isn’t doing it for them.

“So, we’re hearing whispers this morning that the Brisbane Broncos will now enter that race.

“Let’s be brutally honest about this, there will be a fair few egos with Munster from two teams based up there in Queensland.

“This could get very interesting. Oh to be Cameron Munster.”

SEN’s Jimmy Smith said the situation had the potential to get “really spicy” because of some lingering animosity between the Broncos and the Storm.

“The added spice of that one with the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm is that Dave Donaghy went from the Storm and had to sit out (before becoming Broncos CEO),” he said.

“The Storm never recruit representative players but they took Xavier Coates from the Brisbane Broncos, it’s a bit of a tit-for-tat.

“They (Brisbane) tried to get Craig Bellamy, this is really spicy.”

Rugby league reporter Brent Read told Wednesday night’s episode of NRL 360: “For the life of me, I don’t know why the Broncos aren’t in the mix for Cameron Munster because they desperately need a No. 6.

The Broncos are desperate for a solid No. 6. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

“I’ve rung them about this … they said not at the moment but that was a few weeks ago now.”

Veteran NRL reporter Phil Rothfield added: “We absolutely gave it to (Bulldogs coach) Trent Barrett over the opening four rounds for his chopping and changing of halves, I would absolutely love a dollar for every half combination the Broncos have used in the past two or three years.

“They just can’t settle and that halts their football side getting a roll on and momentum.”

While it appears likely Munster will remain at the Storm, his manager Braith Anasta didn’t shut the door on a shock move to Queensland.

“Well by November, you never know,” Anasta told NRL 360.

“There’s no indication they’ll let him go early and we haven’t asked that either.

“Cameron loves the place, wants to stay there, never wanted to leave. At this stage there is not a chance of him going there next year.”