Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster is contemplating his future in the sport, acknowledging the physical toll it takes and expressing a desire to retire on his own terms.
Munster Reflects on Career Longevity, Prioritizes Health
The veteran playmaker discussed his plans beyond his current contract, citing concerns about long-term health and the increasing prevalence of concussion injuries in rugby league.
- Cameron Munster, 31, is under contract with the Storm until he is 33.
- He expressed a desire to retire on his own terms, at the peak of his career.
- Munster acknowledged the growing number of players retiring due to concussion injuries.
- Storm second-rower Eli Katoa is inspiring teammates with his positive attitude during recovery from a serious head injury.
- The Storm have preseason games scheduled against the Canberra Raiders and Gold Coast Titans.
“I’m still here and under contract until I’m 33, you just never know until the doors are [closing] around you,” Munster said. he clarified recent comments about perhaps having only a couple of years left in the game, explaining it stemmed from thinking about his long-term plans.
“all I meant was that when you are in the great time of your life or peak of your career you want to dictate your terms and retire on your own terms,” Munster explained.
What are the risks players face in professional rugby league? Munster highlighted the increasing number of players forced into early retirement due to concussion injuries, stating, “There’s a lot of guys in the game that have concussion injuries and retired from injuries, I don’t want to be one of them. I don’t want to be one of those guys who get to the stage that they squeeze the lemon so hard that they had to retire becuase they can’t physically do it anymore.”
Munster also praised the resilience of teammate Eli Katoa, who is recovering from a serious head injury.”He’s got a great head on his shoulders, he’s within himself. He’s got a plan in place. He’s gone ahead in leaps and bounds compared to what probably the doctors and medical professionals thought.”
Munster added, “Just to see him around the group, he’s such an integral part of our group. It just shows how much he loves rugby league and loves this group, he’s even taken some of the younger boys under his wing. That’s a leader,that’s why he’s blossomed into one of the back-rowers and players you want to play with. It’s scary to think what happened to him, it was probably no more than three or four months ago. Just to see what he’s doing and what he’s added to the group, it’s just so inspiring and we’re very lucky to have him in our group.”
The Storm will hold preseason games against the Canberra Raiders in Queanbeyan on February 13 and the Gold coast Titans on the Sunshine Coast on february 21.
