Cameron Munster has delivered a major update on his future at the Melbourne Storm, with the superstar five-eighth refusing to rule out a potential move to Sydney as he heads into the final year of his contract.
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The 32-year-old is contracted to the Storm until the end of 2027 but will be free to negotiate with rivals from November 1, when a host of the NRL’s biggest names, including Nathan Cleary and Latrell Mitchell, will test their value on the open market.
A two-time premiership winner with the Storm, Munster is in an interesting period of his career as he weighs up his next move.
It comes as his agent, Justin Caines, recently confirmed they had rejected a two-year deal from the Storm worth around $750,000 per season.
This would have meant a significant pay cut of around $350,000.
“I’m getting lowballed everywhere. It’s the first I’ve heard of it,” Munster said after entering Kangaroos camp with teammate Harry Grant, who has been linked with a bombshell move to the Newcastle Knights.
“But I guess my manager’s just doing a job, trying to see what’s out there. I’m not saying I’m leaving. I love Melbourne (but) if I get paid, he gets paid.
“I don’t know about that. I don’t know where they’re going with that. I think that’s just a bit of speculation hype.”
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It is understood a key factor in Munster’s decision will also be clarity over the future of Craig Bellamy with the five-eighth having spent his entire NRL career under the veteran supercoach.
With no certainty about whether he will coach beyond 2027 or who will succeed him when he eventually departs, Munster is weighing what that could mean for his own future.
“I’ve spoken to them about who the coach is after Craig and there’s no real inkling on the guarantee of who that would be,” he added.
“I’ve played my whole footy with Craig. I respect the guy, nothing but love for him and I’m not too sure what he wants to do.
“He can’t give me that, so I’ve got to do what’s best for my family. I have to make sure my family’s in a good spot wherever that will be.”
After making his NRL debut for the Storm in 2014, this will be the first time in Munster’s career he enters the open market.
The veteran playmaker admits that exploring options beyond Melbourne has pushed him outside his comfort zone.
“At the end of the day, this is probably my first time doing it,” Munster said.
“That’s always one of those things to get out of your comfort zone and something I’m doing (is) getting out of my comfort zone and seeing what my options are.
“Not saying I’m leaving, but one time in your life you’ve got to make sure you see what’s out there. I can’t always stay in the four walls and just sit there.
“Whether I need a change or the club thinks they need a chance, who knows?
“We’re just going to make sure we do the right thing for my family, but I’m not saying shy away from the Storm.
“They’re the pinnacle of the reason why my career has been what it is.”
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Revealing he was linked to the Cronulla Sharks as a teenager, Munster has opened the door to a potential move to Sydney as he continues to explore his options.
While he admitted the bright lights and media scrutiny that come with playing in New South Wales may have overwhelmed him earlier in his career, the veteran believes he is now better equipped to handle the pressure and is eager to challenge himself.
“The bright lights would have chewed me up there. I’m older now, so I’d be able to enjoy life a little bit more, but at the same time I was down here for Grand Final weekend (and) seen how crazy it is,” Munster added.
“You’ve got to take the good with the bad. You can either shy away from the media and be in a comfortable position or I can get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself.
“I want to challenge myself, so I’m not too sure what’s going to happen, but I’m not ruling out leaving.
“I definitely love the club and everything it’s about. Just got to make sure I know what’s out there.
“I’m going to make sure I tick all my boxes before I pigeon myself to one spot.
“We’ll just find out November 1 and see who comes knocking. If there’s none, then Melbourne might get rid of me as well. I might have to play reserve grade.”
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Originally from Rockhampton in Queensland, he was also asked whether he could see himself making a return to his home state.
However, he suggested a move back home could be difficult with several clubs already having their halves positions locked down.
And the playmaker is unwilling to stand in the way of an emerging playmaker’s development.
“There’s always that tie of being Queensland captain and I fully understand it, but I want to still be able to compete,” he continued.
“Titans have got their halves locked down. Broncos got their halves locked down. Redcliffe have definitely got their halves locked down. Cowboys have got their halves locked down too.
“The last thing I’m going to be doing is going to one of those clubs and shafting a young kid coming through. I’m well aware of that.
“I’m mindful of that so I just got to make sure I weigh out my right options and see.
“They might be interested, but I’m not stepping on a young kid’s toes. I hate doing that.”
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The five-eighth even joked he could end up at the Southern Orcas in New Zealand as he prepares to join a host of Kangaroos teammates on the open market from November 1.
He was also quick to poke fun at the uncertainty surrounding his next move, quipping he could be forced to take a significant pay-cut.
“They might hog it off me. I might be going down to 450. Who knows? I might be bloody eating two-minute noodles for the next six weeks,” he chuckled.
“I’d like to think (I’ve got four or five years left). Once my competitiveness and my willingness to be in contact and wanting to put my body on the line and compete and make tackles fades, then that’s when I know full well that I’m done.
“Whether that’s a year or two in time, who knows?
“I still have the drive, but at the same time I’m not going to go out there and keep needling up and putting my body on the line when, at the end of the day. What am I doing it for?”
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