Cameron Munster has made the staggering admission that he’s contemplated retiring from the NRL, amid a career-worst losing streak with the Melbourne Storm. The bombshell revelation comes at a difficult time for the Storm after the club revealed veteran coach Craig Bellamy had been diagnosed with an unspecified neurodegenerative disorder.
The footy world has rallied around Bellamy after the devastating news, with Raiders coach Ricky Stuart – who was a former teammate of Bellamy’s at Canberra – among those to send his support. But Melbourne bosses insist it won’t have an impact on the 66-year-old’s ability to lead the team going forward.
Cameron Munster’s (L) shock admission about retirement comes at a difficult time after Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy (R) was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disorder. Pic: Getty
“Over recent weeks, in consultation with specialists, Craig has undergone a series of medical tests and has since been diagnosed with a form of neurodegenerative disorder,” the club said. “He is receiving the best possible medical treatment and has been advised by specialists that his diagnosis will not have an impact on his ability to coach the team in the immediate future.”
The situation is sure to have an impact on the Storm playing group, particularly Munster, who has played under Bellamy for the best part of 13 seasons and is close to the veteran coach. The Maroons skipper has already been well down on form this year and admitted recently that he hoped it wouldn’t cost him an Origin spot.
Speaking on his 167 podcast with former Storm teammate Ryan Papenhuyzen this week, Munster explained how his struggles at the Storm have rocked his confidence. And he says it’s even left him questioning with future in the game at various times.
Cameron Munster makes shock admission about retirement
“The worst I’ve had in my 13-year career is probably back-to-back losses, I don’t think I’ve ever had six in my life. It’s something I’m not really used to,” Munster said. “You always question a lot of things in your mind, whether you still can play the game of rugby league.
“You don’t forget how to play, but at the same time you start to question your confidence and I’m sure there’s a lot of guys in our team who have questioned themselves at times. There have been some times in my head thinking ‘should I be hanging them up?’ to be completely honest.”
Cameron Munster admits the thought of retiring has crossed his mind during the Melbourne Storm’s six-game losing streak. Pic: Getty
(Robert Cianflone via Getty Images)
Munster concedes his defence has not been up to scratch this year, and he was badly exposed for one of Tallis Duncan’s three tries in the huge loss to Souths last week. He’s also failed to get the Melbourne attack clicking alongside halves partner Jahrome Hughes, who’s been ruled out of Friday night’s trip to face the Dolphins due to concussion.
“Unfortunately I just haven’t been getting the rewards or the results I’ve been chasing. I think with everything, the more you try it doesn’t work for you,” Munster added. “At the moment my defence hasn’t been great.
“And I’m making decisions I wouldn’t usually make. But when you’re under pressure and trying to solve things on your own and that’s not what you need for the team, you need to stay in the system. We’re probably just in survival mode.”