Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp says Cameron Munster’s decision to put his multimillion-dollar contract talks on hold means the Storm may struggle to keep the star five-eighth out of “the usual November 1 market frenzy”.
Munster confirmed before Saturday’s elimination final clash with Canberra that he will park discussions on his future to “focus on finals and hopefully go deep in September”.
Each week Melbourne progress in the finals leaves less time for Munster to be secured beyond 2023, given he will be one of the first picked for Australia’s World Cup squad, which is set to depart for Britain shortly after an October 2 grand final.
The Dolphins have led a season-long pursuit of Munster and are willing to make him the highest-paid player in the game over the course of a $1 million-plus, four-year deal.
The Bulldogs and Titans have also flagged an interest in Munster, who can field official rival offers from November, the start of the NRL financial year.
Melbourne recently improved their three-year extension offer beyond $1 million, but have long conceded they cannot compete with the Dolphins on money alone and expect to have an indication on Munster’s future in the next seven weeks.
“Whenever our season finishes, let’s hope it’s a month away, whenever that may be, we’ll sit down after that and try to run it to ground,” Tripp said.
“I’m not sure we’ll get something done by November 1. I’ve just got a commitment from [Munster and his agent Braith Anasta] that he’ll have a decision on the Storm before November 1.
“That decision is he’ll either commit to the club and stay or he’ll roll through. But we’re resigned to the fact that if it gets to November 1 and he’s not committed to the Storm long term, we’re going to struggle to keep him.
“We’ll certainly be in that mix but I think every club has put their best foot forward now. He’s just got to work out whether he goes into the November 1 frenzy. If he does, we’ll still be in the race, but we would like a commitment before then.”
Cameron Munster’s superb individual season hasn’t been affected by contract speculation.Credit:Getty Images
Asked if Melbourne’s most recent extension, described as “impressive” by Anasta recently, was the club’s best, Tripp said: “It is. We’ve put our best foot forward. There are no changes to that offer, there won’t be any changes to it.”
Munster said on Tuesday that the best interests of his partner Bianca, who is also from Queensland, and their baby son Jaxson could affect his decision as he weighs up the biggest contract call of his career.
“I love this club and whatever happens, happens,” he said.
“If it was only about myself then I’d love to stay. But at the same time I’ve got a young family that I need to worry about, and obviously she’s from Queensland, so we need to make sure we will make the right decision, whether that’s staying down here or going.”
Munster’s halves partner Jahrome Hughes has been named to start against the Raiders and completed light training duties on Tuesday. A final call on his availability will come later in the week.
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