Munster appears to be inching closer to a departure from the Storm at the end of this season, revealing on Thursday that he was set to visit Port Moresby this weekend to tour club facilities and discuss a potential move to the PNG Chiefs.
"I was meant to fly to PNG on Friday afternoon, maybe Saturday morning," Munster explained.
"When all the Zac Lomax stuff came out, I was supposed to be on the same flight as him to go and have a look at the facilities.
"But with all the hype around it, I just thought it probably wasn't a good look for myself and the club with the way we've been going.
"I just want to say thank you to (the Storm) for allowing me to negotiate, but I'll wait until November 1 with all that sort of stuff.
"As much as I wanted to go and do it, I just thought it wasn't the right time."
Melbourne have tabled a two-year deal for the Queensland captain with club chairman Matt Tripp not hiding his desire to make Munster a one-club player for life, suggesting they'll do everything they can in their power to keep him at AAMI Park.
The club had, however, given him permission to begin informal talks with PNG Chiefs whilst he recovers from a knee injury that is expected to keep him out until Round 24.
Munster added that, whilst he has not made up his mind one way or the other about 2027 and beyond, a contract extension for legendary coach Craig Bellamy would be influential in his decision-making.
“If he stays, I’ll stay, so there’s a bit of pressure on your back, Craig," Munster joked. “I love Craig and I love the Melbourne Storm.
“Craig has probably been the only NRL coach I’ve ever had. I don’t want to say too much about it, but I’m not sure what his coaching future looks like.
"At the end of the day, I’ve got to make sure it’s right for me and my family. If he’s not sure what he wants to do, sometimes you can’t wait for someone else when you’re making decisions for your family."
Bellamy is contracted with the Storm through to the end of 2028 but has reserved his right to bow out earlier, particularly after being diagnosed with a neurodegenerative condition this year.
The 66-year-old laughed at Munster's "you stay, I'll stay" suggestion and gave Munster his full blessing to make any decision he sees fit.
"If Cameron wants to go over there and he thinks that's the best thing for him and his family, for what he has done for our club over such a long period of time, he deserves to do what he wants to do," Bellamy told reporters.
"If that's what he wants to do, I'd give the okay. Having said that, I'm not the who makes those decisions. I'll back him up with whatever he wants to do.
"The next year or two is when I'll be finishing up. I'd love to go right through my coaching career and bow out at the same time as him. He'll make the right decision for his family and he's got the right to do that."
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
