Melbourne Storm: Bulldogs enter Cameron Munster race as Craig Bellamy gives his opinion
Craig Bellamy says he is in the dark over Cameron Munster’s contract situation but is hoping he pens a new one with the Melbourne Storm following reports the Bulldogs have entered the running.
Munster is tied to the Storm until the end of the 2023 NRL campaign. However the club have made it clear they would like him to extend in to 2024 and beyond. But for that to happen he would need to take a big pay cut.
Reports are claiming he would drop from $1.2million in 2023 to $800,000 in 2024. It remains to be seen if Munster will accept and there is interest from elsewhere.
Melbourne Storm keen to keep Munster
The Dolphins are known to be in the hunt and could keep Munster on $1.2million. And now there is talk that the Canterbury Bulldogs are also keen.
The Bulldogs have already shown what they can do when signing Josh Addo-Carr and co. Reports now claim they are looking to pull off another coup with Munster.
It will of course have to fit in with the salary cap but any deal will only start from 2024.
Munster will be free to talk to other clubs from 1st November 2022. He can then agree to sign elsewhere for the start of 2024 and see out his contract with the Storm.
It is a system that has drawn heavy criticism and could soon be a talking point again. But for now everyone will wait to see what Munster decides. There is no immediate rush but speculation will continue to rumble on in the meantime.
Bellamy tight-lipped
Bellamy is not willing to pressure the player either and will wait to see how it plays out. The Melbourne Storm coach was quizzed after Saturday’s 30-16 win over the Raiders but was pretty tight-lipped.
“I don’t (know anything), I don’t know if anybody else does,” Bellamy told reporters when asked for an update. “But I’m not quite sure where he is at the moment (with his decision) so I don’t want to get bogged down in what’s happening.
“He’ll make his decision when he’s ready, hopefully it will be to stay with us.
“I know the club, we all really want him to stay, it’s just a matter now of him being comfortable in when he wants to make a decision.”
There is a lot for Munster to consider and it may not be just about the money. He will have a better chance of winning premierships with the Storm. But the chance to return to Queensland and help establish the Dolphins with Wayne Bennett could also be a motivator.