Cameron Munster has rejected a contract extension offer from the Melbourne Storm and will test the open market when he becomes eligible to negotiate with rival clubs later this year.
The Maroons skipper was offered a two-year extension worth a reported $750,000 per season, but is understood to have baulked at the proposal given he is currently earning around $1.1 million per year.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Munster has informed the Storm that unless they improve their offer, he intends to test his value on the open market from November 1.
The 31-year-old remains contracted to Melbourne through the end of the 2027 season, but his decision could spark a major bidding war for one of the NRL's premier halves as he approaches the back end of his career.
“I have informed Melbourne of Cameron's desire to test the open market in November,” Munster's manager Justin Caines told The Daily Telegraph.
“I have a great relationship with the Melbourne hierarchy.
“Matt Tripp (Storm chairman) and I are in healthy discussions regarding Cameron's future.
“Those talks will continue, but no deal has been reached yet.
“In years gone by, Cameron has remained loyal and taken less to remain at Melbourne.
“But with the trajectory of the salary cap, it would be remiss of us to not see what is out there for Cameron.
“This free agency is a different scenario for Cameron. He now has a wife and three lovely children whose futures he needs to secure, so he has a lot to consider.”
The situation bears similarities to 2022, when Munster was last off contract and seriously considered leaving Melbourne for the Dolphins.
The Queensland star ultimately knocked back a reported $6 million offer from the expansion club and instead agreed to a deal understood to be worth around $1.6 million less to remain under Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
With Munster's future again in unknown territory and Craig Bellamy not contracted as coach beyond 2027, his departure could eventuate this time around.
The situation also intriguing as the playmaker had previously been given permission by the Storm to negotiate with the PNG Chiefs during a limited window.
No deal eventuated with the NRL's newest franchise, but interest is expected to ramp up significantly when Munster becomes available to negotiate with all clubs in November.
The Brisbane Broncos have already been identified as one club monitoring the situation, with a potential return to Queensland likely to appeal to the proud Queenslander.
By 2028, Broncos will be without a veteran playmaker with Adam Reynolds retiring this season and Ben Hunt suspected to hang up the boots next.
The addition of Munster alongside a younger playmaker such as Ezra Mam, Tom Duffy or Jonah Pezet could strengthen their spine.
Munster has also acknowledged the possibility of making the dramatic move away from Melbourne, comparing a potential departure to AFL star Scott Pendlebury's decision to leave Collingwood for the Gold Coast Suns.
“Who knows, I could do a Scott Pendlebury,” Munster told Code Sports on Thursday.
“I don't know if I'll be playing the high-quality footy that he's playing, but I could definitely squeeze the lemon if I have to.”
Storm chairman Matt Tripp has conceded Melbourne will struggle to compete financially with the PNG Chiefs, but remains hopeful Munster will ultimately finish his career in the purple jersey.
“The reality is we can't compete with PNG,” Tripp said.
“I haven't given up hope that he finishes his career with Melbourne, but that will be down to him and his management.
“If Cam wants to leave and secure his future with his lovely wife and three kids, I would never begrudge him that.
“But I know how loyal Cameron is, so I hope he stays here and finishes as a one-club player and a legend of the Melbourne Storm.”
Munster's immediate focus remains on finishing the 2026 season with Melbourne, with the Storm set to play their final game of the regular season against the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday night.
Melbourne will miss the finals for the first time since 2010, when the club was controversially ruled out of finals contention as a result of the salary cap scandal.
