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Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detail about wife called out as Cameron Munster linked with NRL club switch
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." 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. "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. RELATED: Bulldogs rocked by potentially season-ending blow for star player Damning stat about Latrell amid calls for 'investigation' at Souths 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.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cam Munster twist could prevent another young gun leaving Storm as Hughes resigns
Jahrome Hughes will not be signing with the Perth Bears having extended his stay with the Melbourne Storm as Cameron Munster's next move could decide whether the club retains a young star. Hughes has been continuously linked to a move to the incoming NRL side the Bears with head coach Mal Meninga seeking a marquee signing to kickstart the roster. Hughes was off contract at the end of 2026 and the halfback was deemed the perfect signing to build a team around when the new club enters the competition. Hughes could demand around $2 million a season if he was interested in signing for the Bears. There were doubts over whether Hughes was interested in a move for money having already expressed his desire to remain in Melbourne. And that is exactly what he will be doing having resigned with the Storm until the end of 2030. Hughes' signature is a huge win for Melbourne who will now be looking to extend Harry Grant's contract and Munster's to keep their spine together. 'I'm delighted to extend my contract with Storm for another four years. I absolutely love this Club, it's become a second family to me, and Melbourne feels like home," reigning Dally M medallist Hughes said in a statement. Hughes is currently injured having dislocated his shoulder in the side's win over the Roosters on Thursday night. While there are doubts over whether Melbourne can win the competition without their halfback, the club are confident he will return to play finals footy. Ryan Papenhuyzen has been heavily linked to the Perth Bears as well with the fullback only signing a short term deal to remain at the club until the end of 2026. Papenhuyzen's links with the Bears will continue, but one of the players the Storm will be looking to extend the contract of is five-eighth and Queensland captain Munster. RELATED: Ricky Stuart's message to Newcastle after 'disrespectful' contract offer Stunning development for Cleary brothers as Luai under heavy fire Cameron Munster's links to Perth Bears Munster has a deal with the Storm through till the end of 2027. And Munster's decision on whether he stays in Melbourne or not will most likely determine whether young playmaker Jonah Pezet remains at the Storm. Hughes' deal means Pezet will likely have another two years behind Munster and the halfback at the club. The 22-year-old has been biding his time, but it appears waiting another two years could be a stretch. Panthers great Greg Alexander suggested on SEN Radio that Pezet will surely look for a new deal elsewhere after Hughes' contract extension and reporter David Riccio claimed the young playmaker can do just that. "I would think so, I really do. There are clauses in his contract that allow him to manoeuvre and have a look around on the basis if Jahrome Hughes resigns at the footy club...I think that will eventuate for sure," Riccio said on SEN Radio. However, if Munster were to join the Bears then Pezet might see an avenue to stay at the club. Riccio then turned his attention to Munster and his future contract. Riccio said Meninga is keen on bringing over and the Bears are interested in making him their marquee signing. Although the Storm would have to let Munster freely negotiate with the Bears, considering he is still signed until the end of 2027. "The situation is though, what do they do with Cameron Munster beyond 2027? Do they allow him the opportunity to at least talk to the Perth Bears. There is no uncertainty whatsoever, the Perth Bears want to talk to Cam Munster," Riccio said. He then suggested the money thrown Munster's way would be a huge incentive and hard to turn down towards the end of his career. "Ultimately they are going to be able to secure Cameron Munster's future financially and length of contract, a lot more so than what the Melbourne Storm could possibly do beyond 2027," he added. Cameron Smith claims Cameron Munster will remain While Munster could be tempted by the money, former teammate Cameron Smith does not feel the five-eighth will want to uproot and move to Perth at 33 years old. Smith, who played alongside Munster at club and representative level, claimed on Channel Nine he believes Munster will want to remain a one-club man. "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 on 100% Footy. "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."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cameron Munster 'open' to switch to rival club as huge claim made about Storm move
Storm playmaker Cameron Munster is reportedly 'open' to a switch to the Perth Bears and it's understood Melbourne would not stand in his way if he wanted an early release to join the NRL's newest franchise. That's according to veteran league reporter Paul Kent, who claims Storm officials have spoken to the Maroons captain about his links to Mal Meninga's Bears. It emerged this week that Munster was one of three stars that Meninga has identified as his first potential marquee signings for Perth, who enter the NRL in 2027. Fellow Queensland Origin star Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey are the other players Meninga is reportedly targeting to build the new club around. Munster is contracted to the Storm until the end of the 2027 season and is settled with his family in Melbourne, where he has been based since debuting for the Storm in 2014. The Queensland captain - who was outstanding for his state in their Origin series victory - has won two premierships and played in more than 200 games across his 12 seasons with Melbourne. But Kent says the Storm are aware of the interest from the Perth Bears and have spoken to Munster about the possibility of him joining Meninga's side. And he claims Melbourne officials would be willing to grant the star five-eighth an early release from the final year of his contract in 2027 - but only for a move to the Bears and not any of their other NRL rivals. RELATED: Fans same thing about Walsh as teammate issue adds to Broncos woes Jahrome Hughes forced to miss funeral for Storm teammate's father Unused camera angle that shows NRL world fooled by optical illusion 'Here's one for you, they've already made approaches to Cameron Munster,' Paul Kent said about Perth on his podcast, Kenty Blitz. 'Now obviously he's a big name at Melbourne and look it's very, very early days, let me stress that. 'But Cameron Munster is more than open to moving to Perth. The club, 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." Mega-money Perth deal could tempt Cam Munster Munster is currently on around $1 million per season at the Storm, but would be expected to get a significant upgrade on that deal if he were to join Perth. Considering the tremendous service he's given the Storm over more than a decade and the fact it would set Munster and his family up for the future, it makes sense that the 30-year-old would have Melbourne's blessing if he wanted to leave. 'But if the offer comes from Perth, and the Perth suggestion is, depending on what happens with the salary cap in the new broadcast deal... you'd be looking at a minimum $1.5 million a year upwards to $2 million a year," Kent continued. "So he's going to be looking at that kind of money." WATCH: Paul Kent says the Perth Bears have already spoken to Cam Munster. He says Munster is keen, and the Storm would release him to Perth only.(Kenty Blitz) — NRLCentral (@centralNRL) July 25, 2025 Maroons teammate Fa'asuamaleaui also has links to Meninga, who signed him at the Gold Coast and coached him at the Kangaroos. The Titans skipper is on a long-term deal at the Gold Coast worth around $1.2 million per year but has clauses in his contract that enable him to negotiate with rival clubs on November 1, which works in favour of Meninga's Bears. The Bears would also probably have to table Tino a massive deal worth upwards of $1.4 per season to prise him away from the Gold Coast. But the rep forward could be open to a new opportunity, having recently asked the Titans to outline the club's vision for the future after their struggles in 2025 that look set to cost Des Hasler his coaching job. Cronulla hooker Brailey, who has emerged as the NRL's most in-form No.9, is the third big-name star being linked to Perth. Brailey still has one more year left on his current deal with the Sharks but will be free to negotiate with rival clubs on November 1 if he hasn't agreed an extension before then. NRL reporter James Hooper said this week the Sharks had made a 'grave error' in not locking Brailey down already. It's understood contract talks between Brailey and the Sharks have hit an impasse, with the player's representatives wanting a five-year extension and Cronulla reportedly only offering him three years on top of his current deal.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
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Sharks 'error' that could see Blayke Brailey join QLD Origin players at rival club
The Cronulla Sharks have been called out over a 'grave error' around Blayke Brailey that could see the star hooker join the Perth Bears as one of the club's first marquee signings. Queensland Origin stars Cameron Munster and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui have also emerged as the main targets for Mal Meninga's Bears in what could be a massive coup for the NRL's newest franchise when they enter the competition in 2027. Brailey still has one more year left on his current deal with the Sharks but will be free to negotiate with rival clubs on November 1 if he doesn't agree an extension with Cronulla before then. However, it's understood contract talks between Brailey and the Sharks have hit an impasse, with the player's representatives wanting a five-year extension and Cronulla reportedly only offering him three years on top of his current deal. The situation has left the door open for Perth to pounce on Brailey, who has emerged as the NRL's most in-form hooker and a future NSW Origin star. The Sharks No.9 is outperforming Origin hookers Harry Grant and Reece Robson, and Fox League's James Hooper says Cronulla's delay in agreeing an extension could cost them. 'The black, white and blue have made a grave error. They've just been a little slow out of the gates, and I'd even go as far to say they have probably lowballed him,' Hooper told NRL 360 on Wednesday night. 'If he's available come November 1, I'd suspect many clubs, possibly someone like the Perth Bears, would pay up to $1 million to try and land his signature. Because you can build a club around him.' League journalist Michael Caryannis described Brailey as 'the most in-form player of the competition' and said the Sharks will be desperate to tie him down to the club as soon as possible. "He's a Shire boy, he's a (club) junior, he wants to stay and I think they'll get the deal done," he told SEN radio on Thursday. "But they (Cronulla) have just got to be careful that if it gets to November 1, another club will offer him $1 million and the Sharks won't get to that." Hooper says he doesn't think Cronulla's offer for Brailey is 'anywhere near where it needs to be', considering he would almost certainly command a seven-figure sum if he hit the open market. 'I'd say it's around $650,000, something like that. I don't think it's anywhere near where it needs to be,' Hooper said. RELATED: Kevvie vows to act as three stars consider walking away from Kangaroos Madge spills family detail that has Walsh and Broncos primed for finals Panthers fans divided after Ivan Cleary forced to axe grand final hero Maroons stars emerge as marquee targets for Perth Bears Titans skipper Fa'asuamaleaui has links to Meninga, who signed him at the Gold Coast and coached him at the Kangaroos. Tino is on a long-term deal at Gold Coast worth around $1.2 million per year but has clauses in his contract that enable him to negotiate with rival clubs on November 1, which works in favour of Meninga's Bears. The Maroons star is settled with his family in Queensland though, but has asked the Titans to outline their vision for the future after the club's well-publicised struggles in 2025 that look set to cost Des Hasler his coaching job. Perth would probably have to offer Tino a massive deal worth upwards of $1.4 per season to prise him away from the Gold Coast, but it would be a huge coup if Meninga could pull off the marquee signing. The Perth coach is also said to have Queensland skipper Munster firmly in his sights, but a move for the Maroons Origin hero is slightly more complicated. The Melbourne five-eighth still two years remaining on his Storm contract after this season, and would need to be granted an early release if he wanted to join Perth. Munster is also settled in Melbourne and it would take a similarly massive offer to entice him to join the Bears.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Broncos player signs one-year contract extension despite being offered two-year deal
Broncos forward Kobe Hetherington has opted to only sign a one-year extension with the club under coach Michael Maguire, but the lock turned down an extended deal raising eyebrows about his future. Hetherington has been a favourite under Maguire since the former NSW coach took over the club having started the season at 13. Hetherington has been pushed to the bench in recent weeks with Patrick Carrigan reverting back to lock and Xavier Willison to prop. The Broncos have benefited from an extra big body in the front-row and Hetherington's work ethic from the bench. And Maguire has moved to lockdown the 26-year-old for another season with the star signing a one-year deal. However, reported Hetherington's manager claimed the player turned down a two-year deal to keep his options open. While the Broncos will be thrilled to have locked down the forward, Hetherington could be keeping his options open when the Perth Bears enter the competition in 2027. Mal Meninga will be the coach of the Bears and will be building a roster across the next 12 months. While players such as Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jahrome Hughes have been linked as their marquee signing, the Bears will have plenty of money to throw at other players. And Hetherington could be looking at his future options going forward if a bigger deal comes his way after the one-year extension. Hetherington will be able to negotiate with rival clubs come 1 November this year as he prepares for another deal. Hetherington's manager, Chris Haddad, said they were happy to challenge themselves with a short-term deal. 'It's a great result,' Hetherington's manager Chris Haddad told the publication. 'Kobe is happy at the Broncos, so we were happy to extend for one year and we'll see what happens after that. 'The Broncos offered us a two-year deal but we were happy to do another 12 months and Kobe will keep testing and challenging himself. He could have left the Broncos. Several Sydney clubs were keen on Kobe, but when we sat down with 'Madge' (Maguire), he wanted a chance to work with Kobe and he is enjoying being coached by Madge." RELATED: Major blow for Panthers as two players sign with Dragons Cameron Smith flags new role after missing gig to Kevin Walters Brisbane Broncos continue retention plan The Broncos have made huge moves in retaining the key members of their squad in recent months. With Reece Walsh tied down on a $4.4 million upgrade, the likes of Ezra Mam and Patrick Carrigan will also be with the club for a number of years. Veteran halfback Adam Reynolds extended his deal till the end of 2026, while Kotoni Staggs and Blake Mozer were part of the Broncos' $4 million spending spree. Staggs signed a three-year extension, which will see him remain at the Broncos until the end of the 2028 season. The club is also looking to retain Gehamat Shibasaki with the centre having a standout season. The 27-year-old's current development contract is only reportedly worth around $85,000 but with his additional match payments and Origin windfall, that figure could rise to at least $160,000 if he plays all of Brisbane's remaining games and they reach the finals. Shibasaki knows he'll be able to command a much larger salary if he hits the open market though. The Broncos have a salary cap squeeze, but will be doing everything to keep the centre at the club.
