Storm legend Cameron Smith has revealed he can’t see Cameron Munster leaving the club to join the Perth Bears because he’s built a life with his wife in Melbourne. Reports emerged last week that Munster is ‘open’ to joining Mal Meninga at the Bears, with the NRL‘s newest team set to enter the competition in 2027.
Munster is contracted to the Storm until the end of 2027, but veteran reporter Paul Kent has claimed Melbourne wouldn’t stand in his way should be request a release from the final year of his deal. Kent said last week on his podcast: “Cameron Munster is more than open to moving to Perth. I’m led to believe the Storm have spoken to him about that. Essentially they’ve settled on the position that they will release him from his contract, but only to join Perth. Not to any other club in the NRL.”
Cameron Smith can’t see Cameron Munster and his wife leaving Melbourne. Image: Bianca Munster/Getty
But discussing the situation on ‘100% Footy’ on Channel 9 on Monday night, club legend Smith emphatically shut down the suggestion. Munster is originally from Queensland, but has been settled in Melbourne since 2014.
The State of Origin star and wife Bianca have three young kids, meaning it would be a lot to relocate to Perth. “Knowing Cam Munster and the type of person he is, I think he’d like to stick out his time in the NRL as a one-club player,” Smith said.
Cameron Munster and wife Bianca are settled in Melbourne with their young family. Image: Bianca Munster
“He’s built a great life down there in Melbourne around his football career. He’s built a young family with his wife Bianca. I know he’s got a great relationship with Craig Bellamy and also the chairman Matt Tripp.
“I really can’t see him moving on and playing elsewhere. I know it’d be fairly enticing as a marquee player moving over to the west and the new franchise. He’s been coached by Mal Meninga as well at the Kangaroos and they get along great. I just can’t see Cam moving away from the Melbourne Storm.”
Reporter Danny Weidler said Storm officials have been left “bemused’ by Kent’s claims. Weidler added: “The Storm have been pretty adamant about keeping players to their contracts.”
Jahrome Hughes re-signs with Melbourne Storm
Meninga and the Bears are on the hunt for a big marquee signing, and there’s been speculation the Perth team could offer someone $2 million per year – a first for the NRL. Storm teammates Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes have also been linked to the Bears, but the Storm announced Hughes had extended his contract on Tuesday to remain until 2030.
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The re-signing of Hughes has thrown the future of young gun Jonah Pezet into doubt. Pezet recently signed an extension that keeps him at the club until 2029, but he reportedly has an agreement with Storm officials that he can leave if Hughes extends his deal.
Pezet is a halfback by trade, but has been stuck behind Hughes and Munster and forced to bide his time in reserve grade. Whether or not he remains in Melbourne remains to be seen, and it’s unclear if Munster’s potential departure will convince him to stay. The Storm also have Tyran Wishart on their books – another talented playmaker who could be starting in the halves at another club.