‘They’re outraged’: Melbourne Storm take swing at Wayne Bennett

The Melbourne Storm have made a formal complaint after Wayne Bennett’s sly move to steal Cameron Munster fooled nobody.

Cameron Munster and the Storm cut the Warriors to pieces. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

The Storm are ready for a scrap with Wayne Bennett.

The club is reportedly “outraged” following recent reports surrounding the Dolphins coach’s interest in recruiting Melbourne star Cameron Munster, despite the playmaker remaining contracted through to the end of the 2023 season.

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It emerged Wednesday the Storm has filed a formal complaint to the NRL over recent tampering comments from Bennett, hinting his team was pursuing Munster for the team’s arrival into the NRL next year — as they’re marquee player.

Munster’s contract future has been a saga in recent months since beginning contract talks with the Storm to extend his deal beyond the 2024 season.

Munster is the final piece in the Storm’s puzzle after the club recently locked in Ryan Papenhuyzen, Harry Grand and Jahrome Hughes on long term deals.

Cameron Munster of the Storm celebrates scoring a try. Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

The situation took another turn on Thursday with a report the Storm are “outraged” that the Dolphins have been so brazen their apparent attempt to break league rules and reach out to Munster before the November 1 cut off point.

The Daily Telegraph first reported the Storm weren’t happy and it’s now been revealed the Dolphins are still confident of finding a way to sign the Queensland State of Origin star.

“In the blue corner we have the Storm and in the red corner we have the Dolphins,” Bishop said on SEN 11170 Breakfast.

“The Storm are outraged, lodging a formal complaint after Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins completely disregarded rules and attempted to poach one of their own players who is under contract – which is Cameron Munster.

“Bennett wants Cameron Munster, talk of them wanting Cameron Munster started after the Dolphins missed out on Kalyn Ponga.

“But the fact is, Munster is under contract next season and Bennett has blown it off as a non-issue.”

“Melbourne even went direct to the Dolphins to put it in writing to them. They actually wrote, ‘Cameron Munster is not available for 2023… zero chance’.”

It comes after The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie told Fox League’s NRL 360 on Wednesday night the Storm were “cranky” about Bennett’s comments and rejected any suggestion the Dolphins could buy-out the final year of Munster’s current contract, which is reported to be worth a whopping $1.2 million.

The 29-year-old has reportedly been offered a three-year extension at $750,000 per-year.

Reports previously claimed Munster could earn more than $1 million per-year signing with the Dolphins.

Last week it emerged the Broncos could also be considering a move for Munster.