‘Money isn’t everything’: How Munster sacrificed $1.4 million to secure victory over Panthers

Cameron Munster is ready to cash in on his $1.4 million sacrifice and win another premiership in Melbourne after seeing Penrith’s dynasty convince him he should stay at the Storm.

Munster will enter next Sunday’s grand final against the Panthers as one of the Storm’s most important players, after battling back pain to star in the number 6 jersey.

But the story could have so easily been different.

After long and protracted negotiations through the 2022 season, Munster were completely in line due to Wayne Bennett’s marquee hold on the Dolphins on a deal worth almost $6 million over four seasons.

But his mind was changed after watching Penrith win against Parramatta in that year’s decider, with the Panthers’ dominance inspiring him to remain at the Storm on a four-year deal worth approximately $4.6 million.

“I looked at the way Penrith did business,” Munster told AAP.

“They have been one of the best teams in this competition for a long time.

“To be able to get in that position again, or have that opportunity again, I thought staying was the right decision. Money is not everything.”

The Queensland star phoned Craig Bellamy the next day to inform him that he no longer intended to leave for the Dolphins, and within the week he was re-signed with the Storm.

Munster said a large part of his thinking was focused on the Panthers and their desire to get another crack at the premiership after Penrith defeated Melbourne in the 2021 preliminary final.

“Looking back at it, we had a good season in 2021 and we fell at the last hurdle,” Munster said.

“That was something that stuck in my mind. It was a competition that could have been anyone’s.

“In 2022 or 2023, Penrith were the best team and that’s why they won three matches in a row. He likes big moments.

Ryan Papenhuizen celebrates with teammates. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“I just wanted to go back out there and try to play the best I could. And they’re one of the best teams the comp has seen.”

Another motivator for Munster is his desire to help lead Melbourne to a premiership after the departures of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.

Next Sunday will be the Storm’s 11th grand final in their 27-season history, but their first since the big three were knocked out.

Munster played in Cronk’s last grand final in Melbourne in 2017, Slater’s last in 2018 and Smith’s in 2020.

For years, critics questioned how the Storm would one day deal with the trio’s exit after the first of the starting big four, Greg Inglis, left the club.

But in their place have been Ryan Papenhuizen, Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant, who has made no secret of his desire to lead Melbourne into the next era.

“It always sticks in your mind (winning one after the Big Four). But that can’t be my only motivating factor to win the comp,” Munster said.

“We have a great young group of boys and we want to make memories together.

“We have a great spine, I am not focusing too much on that, but we also have some great players around the spine. There is not much talk about them.

“It’s crazy to think we’re back in a grand final and giving ourselves another chance to win it. You don’t get these opportunities a lot.”

© AAP