Rugby league great Cameron Smith can’t understand why the Melbourne Storm haven’t “thrown everything” at keeping star playmaker Cameron Munster at the club.
Smith, who captained Munster from 2014 until his retirement in 2020, says that the five-eighth is easily the most important player in Craig Bellamy’s side.
While the Storm are hoping to keep the 27-year-old in purple, it’s believed they’re only currently offering him a three-year deal worth $800,000 a season compared to the Dolphins' four-year deal worth $5.2 million across the tenure of the contract.
Considering Munster could earn in the vicinity of $500,000 a season more if he heads north, Smith hopes the Storm up the ante in their hopes of keeping their key player as he fears the lay of the land will see him become a Dolphin ahead of the 2024 season.
Smith discussed Munster's next move with former Bronco Denan Kemp on SEN 1170 The Captain's Run.
Smith: “There’s huge reports saying he’s done, that he’s a done deal.
“It’s surprising, I hope he stays, I can’t believe that they wouldn’t just throw everything at him to keep him.
“Just look at his form over the last couple of months, you can’t tell me he’s not the most important player there.”
Kemp: “Arguably in the comp, at the moment he’s got two premierships and a bunch of Origins.”
Smith: “He can play anywhere and can play everywhere.”
Kemp: “Surely everywhere, you could almost play him at look at he’d honestly go alright.”
Munster is currently contracted at Melbourne until the end of the 2023 season.
He’ll be free to test the open market from November 1 onwards for the 2024 season and beyond.