NRL NEWS: Munster to snub Dolphins for Storm, Gus slams Barrett innuendo, NRLW expanding

Storm star Cameron Munster has no intentions of jumping ship to the Dolphins and wants to ink a long-term extension to repay Melbourne’s fath in him following a string of off-field dramas.

The 27-year-old veteran of 151 games for the Storm will make his return from a suspension for the Mad Monday “white powder” incident along with utility Chris Lewis in Melbourne’s Thursday night showdown with Souths at AAMI Park.

Munster is contracted to the Storm until the end of next season but that has not stopped speculation that he would seek a release to return to Queensland when the Dolphins expansion side joins the competition in 2023.

“I’m not really making too many decisions at the moment, but my intentions are to stay here as much as I can,” he said.

“I’m just making sure I get the most out of my career and be a lot better role model for kids around the community.”

Munster declared he owed it to coach Craig Bellamy to do everything he could to get the Storm to another premiership. Bellamy will oversee his 500th game in Round 2.

“Who knows where I would be if Craig wasn’t still the coach here,” he said.

“Obviously I’ve had some indiscretions off the field, dealing with the party scenes, etc. If it wasn’t for him, I probably still wouldn’t be here. He’s probably kept faith and wanted me to stay here and he’s seen the good in me.”

(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Gus quashes speculation over Barrett

Canterbury general manager Phil Gould hit back at speculation that coach Trent Barrett’s tenure could be in jeopardy as he enters the second season of a three-year deal.

Speaking on 100% Footy, he backed the former NSW and Australian five-eighth to deliver success at the club on the back of the multimillion-dollar recruitment drive in the off-season which netted the signatures of several stars including Matt Burton, Tevita Pangai jnr, Josh Addo-Carr and Matt Dufty.

“I’ve got no questions about Trent whatsoever, and I don’t know where all that rubbish comes from,” Gould said.

“He will be the coach at the Bulldogs for a long time as far as I’m concerned. He’s got such a wonderful nature as a coach and he has great knowledge, great delivery, and he’s got great communication.

“Anyone saying those things don’t know Trent and the work he’s doing at the Bulldogs. He’s doing a wonderful job and the boys supported him with a great win on the weekend.”

Pangai missed the 6-4 victory over the Cowboys in Townsville with a minor leg injury but is set to return for this Sunday’s Accor Stadium assignment against Brisbane.

NRLW expansion, pay rises announced

The NRLW could one day expand beyond the boundaries of the men’s competition as the league announced plans for additional teams in both 2023 and 2024.

The expansion of the NRLW to eight teams next year and 10 the following headlined a raft of changes announced on Tuesday. Players will receive a 28 per cent pay rise for the 2022 competition, which will be played later this year, with a salary cap of $350,000 to be implemented.

That will include an increase on the minimum wage from $8000 to $10,000, with all figures expected to rise again in 2023 once a collective bargaining agreement is complete. The next season will start after the State of Origin period, which will double to a two-game series that strangely lacks a decider.

Each club will be able to contract two marquee players on a full-time basis outside of the salary cap, lifting their pay and in turn better spreading talent across the league.

A call on new clubs will be made in July, with North Queensland and Canberra the two early favourites after making clear submissions to join.

The Warriors will be given an early chance after being forced to withdraw from the currently-running postponed 2021 season due to COVID-19.

Aside from them, Melbourne, Cronulla, Wests Tigers, South Sydney and Canterbury have made clear their intent to join current clubs Brisbane, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Parramatta, St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters.

“You want to think about the criteria very carefully,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said. “The location will play part of that, but also existing pathways and existing talent. “It’s great for players to grow up playing junior fully and then aspire to play at the elite level in that region and not having to relocate.

“Which clubs are going to be putting forward proposals around how they’re planning to invest all the way down (will also be crucial).”

While the current round of expansion will likely only include current NRL clubs, there is breadth to go beyond those as Abdo dreams of a larger competition that could include the potential of sides in the Pacific Islands or Papua New Guinea, as well as interest from Perth with Western Australia the current champions from teams outside NSW, ACT and Queensland.

It comes amid negotiations for a historic women’s CBA, with the changes bringing in health insurance for players and greater security in contracts.

“The changes announced today are a step in the right direction,” Brisbane prop and RLPA women’s advisory group member Chelsea Lenarduzzi said. “Progress like this is a great indicator of things to come.”

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