Melbourne Storm legend and former captain Cameron Smith fears 2023 will be Cameron Munster’s final season with the club.
Speculation surrounding Munster’s future has been a hot topic all season, with the 27-year-old yet to commit beyond next year and the incoming Dolphins franchise chasing his signature.
Former teammate Smith fears if Munster was going to recommit with the Storm he would have already done so by now.
“If I’m brutally honest, if he was to commit to the Melbourne Storm and extend his contract, he would’ve done so by now,” Smith said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
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“That’s my gut feeling.
“He’s been at the club since he was 16 years of age and we’ve heard (Munster’s manager) Braith Anasta come out and say the Melbourne Storm offer is in the area it should be.
“So what’s holding him back?
“As bad as this may sound for all the Storm supporters and myself, I feel like he will be going to the Dolphins.”
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With Melbourne’s season coming to a close after their 28-20 loss to the Canberra Raiders, the club will be losing an array of talent as they head into the 2023 season.
The end of the Storm’s season signals the departure of Brandon Smith — bound for the Sydney Roosters — as well as Jesse and Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi, who will all join Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins for their inaugural season.
Those four players alone represent 601 games of NRL experience, something that isn’t easily replaceable.
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“They’re four premiership players and four representative players as well,” Smith said.
“They’re losing a whole heap of experience.
“They are four players that are also in their starting 13 so it’s a big chunk of their starting side now out of this team.
“This is going to be a big challenge for the club and Craig Bellamy as coach.”
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