Melbourne Storm: Immortal has future advice for Cameron Munster
NRL immortal Andrew Johns says Cameron Munster has to decide whether he wants more money or silverware before penning his next contract.
The Melbourne Storm playmaker is under contract for the 2023 NRL season but a big decision is looming. The Storm are reported to have offered Munster an extension but it is on reduced terms.
The 27-year-old will earn $1.2million in 2023, but reports say it would drop to $800,000 in 2024.
Cameron Munster wanted by Dolphins
Melbourne have just spent big to lock in some of their star players. Harry Grant has just landed a bumper new deal while Jahrome Hughes and Xavier Coates have also signed up.
Ryan Papenhuyzen also committed earlier in the year so the Storm coffers will be looking low. It means Munster is the one that has to accept reduced terms if he wants to stay.
The news has not gone down well with former Storm players. Some have been quoted as saying that Munster has been treated badly and it is a lack of respect. It has even been suggested Grant and co should have been offered less to keep Munster on board.
Munster does have options and the Dolphins are keen to swoop. Wayne Bennett’s men will offer Munster the same kind of money he is currently on.
A switch to the Dolphins would also give him the chance to return to Queensland. However it will take some time before the Dolphins are in a position to win the premiership. Even with Bennett at the helm.
The Dolphins will enter the NRL in 2023 and they would love to have Munster on board. The Queensland State of Origin ace now has a decision to make and Johns says he should think hard.
Apart from a three-game stint in Super League with Warrington, Johns remained loyal to Newcastle. He made 249 appearances and won two premierships before retiring at the age of 32.
Johns advice
Johns says he had an opportunity to take bigger offers elsewhere but turned them down. Speaking on his Channel 9 show Immortal Behaviour he said it was not about the money.
“He’s got to decide what he wants to do – whether he wants to have more money and be at a club starting off, which without a doubt will struggle, or does he want to compete in semi-finals and a chance of winning premierships?” Johns told host Danika Mason.
“It’s a big decision for him. He will be happy at the Dolphins, but not a chance of winning a premiership.
“I got offered a lot more to go to other clubs. I wasn’t driven by money, and I mean how much do you need? If you’re earning $800,00 a year, it’s huge money.”
Like Johns, Munster has two premierships to his name after winning the 2017 and 2020 grand finals with the Storm.