Cameron Munster offered $1.8m million deal to stay at Melbourne Storm until 2020
MELBOURNE will ease the pain of Cameron Munster’s week from hell by tabling a hefty pay rise to secure the banned Maroons hopeful until 2020.
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MELBOURNE will ease the pain of Cameron Munster’s week from hell by tabling a $1.8m million extension to secure the banned Maroons hopeful until 2020.
The Courier-Mail can reveal Munster has started talks on a major upgrade with the Storm, just days after he was left devastated by a 12-month Origin ban for breaking curfew at Queensland’s Emerging Origin camp.
The toughest period of Munster’s career continued on Sunday when he damaged his knee at the Auckland Nines, an injury that will sideline him for up to six weeks.
But Munster can take comfort in the knowledge his future is secure, with the Storm ace to formally sign a multi-year extension before the start of the 2016 season.
Storm CEO Dave Donaghy has confirmed negotiations are underway and Munster’s management have revealed the fullback ace, rated the next Billy Slater, had no intention of quitting the Storm as Melbourne prepare for life after Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk.
“We’ve entered negotiations and we’re hoping to finalise a deal as soon as possible. Cameron is happy to stay in Melbourne,” said his manager Shaun Pyne.
“There’s a lot of interest but the Storm have been great to Cameron and he wants to show some loyalty to the club that signed him as a teenager.
“It’s been a remarkable rise for Cameron. He has had some tough love from Craig Bellamy (Melbourne coach) along the way, but he’s working hard and has copped his Origin punishment on the chin.”
The 21-year-old Munster is contracted until the end of 2017 but the Storm are keen to ward off poaching raids for one of the code’s hottest backline prospects.
The parties have discussed upgrading Munster for this year and next, plus a three-year extension. He is currently on a basic NRL contract but will be handsomely rewarded for his outstanding form last season deputising for the injured Slater.
While Munster is on the outer for 12 months with Maroons hierarchy, the Storm are rallying around the Rockhampton junior.
Munster met last week with Storm coach Bellamy, who underlined the importance of making wise decisions that will not derail his NRL career.
The exciting prospect received a scare on Sunday when he collapsed in a tackle against the Cowboys. He was diagnosed with medial ligament damage in his right knee and will be racing the clock for Melbourne’s Round 1 clash against the Dragons.
“It was a worry when Cam first went down,” said Storm Nines skipper Blake Green. “He looked to be in a bit of pain and a bit of distress, fingers crossed it’s not too bad.
“He is a special talent, he can slot in anywhere in our backline.”
Munster recently said he wanted to one day take over a leadership role from Melbourne’s Big Three of Smith, Slater and Cronk.
“If the Storm want to keep me I’m happy to stay down here,” he said.
“It will be big shoes to fill when the Big Three go, but there’s some real talent coming through and I’d love to help fill that position.”
Originally published as Cameron Munster offered $1.8m million deal to stay at Melbourne Storm until 2020
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