Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster continued extension talks with the club, and their latest offer left a foul taste in his mouth. The five-eighth will now focus on the World Cup.
In July this season, the Storm allowed Munster to talk to the PNG Chiefs about a potential deal.
However, talks paused between the two parties to avoid distraction, as the Melbourne Storm were outside the top eight and facing a tough season.
In a new report by The Courier Mail, the Storm offered Munster a two-year deal around $750,000 per season.
Currently, the Maroons and Australian five-eighth is on $1.1 million per season, which would be a $350,000 pay cut to potentially finish his career in Melbourne.
Munster's management have made it clear that, after receiving the offer, he will head to the open market on November 1.
The 32-year-old switched agents after Braith Anasta decided in September to focus on Fox League and his media career.
The former NRL player turned host struggled to navigate both his agency business and media work as the NRL enforced media-watch rules this season for those involved in media and working for clubs or as player agents.
While Munster will focus on the World Cup and play for Australia, which begins next week, his new agent Justin Caines spoke to The Courier Mail about his client's future.
“Cam and I sat down on Friday and Saturday; we talked about what he wants to do, and we've mapped out a plan heading to November 1,” Caines told the publication.
“We'll be exploring his options on the open market.
“We don't see any reason for Cameron to be taking a pay cut.
“Until we are able to get in front of some clubs, we don't know what is out there for Cameron.
“Melbourne have put forward their offer, and after receiving their offer, we informed them we will be exploring our options in November.
“We will see what is out there for Cameron.”
With the NRL agreeing to a massive TV-rights deal worth $5.3 billion, the salary cap is expected to rise from $12.1 million in 2027 to $15 million in 2028.
While Storm chairman Matt Tripp loves Munster and wants him to finish his career at the club, Caine insists his client will not accept a significant salary hit as the new salary cap rises by almost 24 per cent in 2028.
“Cam is still very much at the top of his game,” he said.
“He is only 32 years of age. He is still the Queensland captain, and he was picked in the Australian squad for the World Cup, so he is still very much a representative player.
“There's a new CBA coming in, and there will be a new salary cap for 2028 and beyond.
“We don't see any reason for Cameron to be taking a pay cut.
“With everyone else's salaries going up, we don't see why the Australian five-eighth and Queensland captain has to go backwards in pay.
“Why should Cam look to take a pay cut when everyone else's salaries are going up?
“That doesn't align with what he has done and what he is going to do in the game.”
Caines admits they are open to another discussion with the PNG Chiefs after talks were paused during the season.
The 255-game veteran is eager to keep playing rugby league.
“We would welcome another discussion with PNG,” he revealed.
“I spoke with Cameron, and we came up with a list of clubs we would be happy to speak to.
“We certainly feel Cameron has some good football ahead of him.
“Cameron is far from finished. His hunger is still there, and there is no bigger competitor in the game than Cam Munster. The guy just wants to win and keep winning. He is as hungry as ever and can play for quite a few more years yet.
“I look forward to talking to some clubs in November.”
The Chiefs have signed multiple players to big deals and will struggle to manage their salary cap if they sign more players who ask for near $1 million each season.
Luai is reportedly on $1.2 million at the Chiefs in 2028; Lomax and Manu are both rumoured to be on about $800,000 and To'o about $600,000.
Matty Lees and Connor Watson, the only two forwards signed to date, are expected to be on far less, and Alex Johnston has reportedly signed for $325,000.
That is over $3.2 million in salary cap space gone, and assuming the salary cap total is $15 million, that would leave the club with $11.8 million for over 20 players.
The club has expressed interest in Hudson Young and AJ Brimson, although there have been strong back-and-forth conversations with the Titans on how much the Chiefs are willing to pay.
Cameron Munster also hinted at his playing future in September, potentially heading home to Brisbane and continuing to run his pub on Caxton Street.
