Melbourne Storm superstar Cameron Munster has admitted there was “no excuse” to not call Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett before news of his contract extension became public.
Munster’s decision to re-sign with the Storm represented a brutal blow in the Dolphins’ recruitment drive. But it was the playmaker’s silence that truly upset Bennett, who coached him at Origin level.
“It is pretty ordinary stuff mate, it is pretty ordinary stuff, that’s the part, I understand managers and all that, and there is a need for them,” Bennett said on Triple M’s Rush Hour with Leisel Jones, Liam and Dobbo.
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“But what I can’t get and what I don’t relate to is the fact that the players, in all the tough conversations that have got to be had, are missing.
“They don’t ring you up and tell you they are not coming, they don’t have to make that phone call, that is a tough phone call, it’s a phone call none of us want to make but you want to be a man, you have got to behave like one.
“Don’t have your manager ring up and tell them you aren’t coming.”
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Speaking to Channel 9 after arriving in the UK with the Kangaroos, Munster admitted he could have handled the situation better.
“It’s disappointing,” Munster said. “I have a really good relationship with Wayne, and I don’t know if I’ve made it any worse… there’s no excuses, I should have given him a call.”
Munster confirmed he’d give the supercoach a call as soon as he had some time.
“I definitely will give him a call. I think that’s the respectful thing to do.
“… I understand his frustrations. I was 50/50 at times, and given him mixed messages and mixed emotions, so I can understand where he’s coming from.”
Munster rejected the Dolphins’ four-year $5.6 million offer to re-sign with the Storm on a four-year $4 million-dollar deal.
