‘Hard sell’: Fittler’s huge call after Munster contract snub
A long list of clubs are expected to be in the running for Cameron Munster’s prized signature if the Storm ace goes to free agency – but Brad Fittler reckons the Perth Bears won’t be one of them.
News Corp reported on Saturday that Munster, who is contracted to Melbourne until the end of 2027, had rejected a fresh two-year offer from the Storm worth an estimated $750,000 per season.
Cameron Munster in action for Melbourne. Getty Images
The Maroons and Kangaroos superstar is expected to test his value on the open market from November 1.
Inevitably, the contract rejection set tongues wagging about the prospect of the champion five-eighth heading west as a marquee signing of inaugural Bears coach Mal Meninga.
But the Perth outfit is tipped to struggle early on and Fittler thinks that expectation will see Munster steer clear.
“I think he’ll want to win. I feel like he’s a very competitive bloke, and I don’t think he’s going to go to a club to grind out three or four years [without being competitive]. So I’d be ticking Perth off,” Fittler said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“I’d be saying that’s a hard sell at the moment for Cameron Munster.”
There’s a sense of romanticism about the prospect of Munster joining the Broncos.
The Rockhampton product idolised Darren Lockyer and the Broncos as a kid and spent time in the club’s development system, only to be pinched by the Storm.
Another factor that potentially falls in favour of Brisbane is Munster is a co-owner of The Milton bar on Caxton Street.
Fittler tossed up the Broncos as a potential landing spot for the Maroons magician, as well as the Roosters.
“The Roosters haven’t locked down halves,” the former Tricolours captain said.
“They’re losing Daly Cherry-Evans.”
Plus, prodigious halfback Sam Walker is not yet signed to the Roosters beyond 2027. He could also become a free agent on November 1.
“There’s a few clubs out there that could do with a Cameron Munster at the moment,” Fittler added.
Billy Slater, who played with Munster at Melbourne and was his coach at State of Origin level until his recent resignation, believes he has another four or five years of NRL left in him.
Billy Slater and Cameron Munster embrace. Getty Images
“He’s a wonderful competitor, and the competition is getting bigger and bigger, and these players aren’t becoming available all that often,” Slater said.
“I’d love to see him stay at the Melbourne Storm – I think that’s just where he belongs – but sometimes the business of the game overpowers that.”
Andrew Johns also hopes Munster re-commits to Melbourne.
“I just want him to be a one-club player,” the eighth Immortal said.
“But this is a big opportunity for Munster to get a big payday.
“Whether he wants to go back to Queensland, I don’t really know, but this is an opportunity, especially with PNG and Perth coming in.
“The bargaining tool for Munster could be huge. Every club would want Cameron Munster in their team.”
