Melbourne officials have denied suggestions they have offered Cameron Munster a third-party deal, in contravention of NRL rules, in a bid to keep him at the club.
Comments made by Munster’s manager, Braith Anasta, on Fox Sports during the week set tongues wagging in club-land.
Anasta spoke on NRL 360 about the long-running battle for Munster’s signature for 2024 and beyond. When asked what would need to change for Munster to re-sign, Anasta replied: “I think ideally Cameron and myself would like them [Melbourne] to move more on the cap than where they are right now”.
Several rival clubs and managers – and even Melbourne – interpreted the comments to suggest a third-party deal had been tabled, which clubs are not allowed to do, as part of a package.
Anasta later said he did not mean to imply such a deal had been offered.
Storm chairman Matt Tripp said he was aware of the comment, and what it implied, but said the club had “tried to remain holier-than-thou” when it came to third-party deals and the salary cap following the scandal that engulfed the club more than a decade ago, which resulted in Melbourne being stripped of two NRL premierships.
Cameron Munster is yet to make a decision on an offer from Melbourne for a new deal of about $850,000 a year.Credit:Getty
“I heard the comment,” Tripp said. “We have not offered third parties, so Braith’s comments were strange. The bottom line is Braith was asking for more money.
“We’ve said we have no more room on the cap. That’s that. Since I’ve been a director at the club, nobody is squeakier clean than us, and that’s the way it will stay.
“When Braith said what he said, I asked [chief executive] Justin [Rodski], ‘What’s he talking about there? What does it even mean?’ The comment didn’t come out right.
“I’ll catch up with Braith at some point [and say], ‘Here’s our position, and if we leave it until November 1, we’re resigned to not being in the race’.”
The Dolphins and coach Wayne Bennett are the biggest threat to the Storm with the NRL newcomers reportedly prepared to offer Munster a deal worth about $1.3 million a season. Melbourne’s offer is about $850,000 a year.
Third-party deals that are at “arm’s length” from clubs are allowed under NRL rules and are excluded from the salary cap. However, clubs cannot facilitate a deal and cannot use them as a means to induce players to sign.
Tripp has run several successful betting agencies, will launch his latest online venture next month, and earlier this year asked the NRL whether there was any concern with gun trio Harry Grant, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes investing in his latest venture.
Tripp told the Herald at the time there was no conflict of interest and maintained on Saturday “the offers were never used as a negotiating tool”.
Melbourne believes Munster will play his best football at the premiership powerhouse, who thumped Brisbane 60-12 on Friday night to re-establish their premiership credentials after a tough mid-season run. The Storm also know happiness is key for the larrikin playmaker, who has thrived since abstaining from alcohol and being back in the Victorian capital after two seasons in a COVID-19 bubble.
“He wants to be a Melbourne Storm player for life; he loves it down here and is very torn,” Tripp said. “There will be bigger numbers put on the table elsewhere. We desperately want to keep Cameron, but not at the cost of losing two or three other players.”
Further complicating things for Melbourne is that the NRL has not announced what the salary cap will be for 2023 and beyond. Most clubs are working towards $10.5 million in 2023, but are aware it could go as high as $11 million.
Munster would become one of the few Storm players to have ‘ratchet’ clauses inserted into any new deal, which would see his earnings increase with any rise in the cap.
Munster’s 12-month booze ban, put in place by the club following the “white powder” scandal at the end of last season, will expire while he is in England for the World Cup, and while Tripp would love his close friend to continue avoiding alcohol, also knows “he’s a big boy who will make decisions for himself”.
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