Cameron Munster has a “new lease of life” and will exit rehabilitation this weekend, says Melbourne Storm chairman Matt Tripp.
Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Tripp declared the Storm “couldn’t be happier” with the progress Munster has shown since entering a rehabilitation program for alcohol issues a month ago, following the fallout from the party video scandal.
Munster voluntarily admitted himself to the facility after the scandal that followed the Storm’s exit from the finals.
He was banned for a game and fined $30,000 from the NRL, while Melbourne whacked him with a $100,000 suspended fine, removed him from the leadership group and imposed a 12-month alcohol ban.
“He rang me yesterday, and he sounded terrific,” Tripp said.
“I couldn’t be happier with his progress. He’s really excited about getting stuck into the pre-season with the boys and getting back to Melbourne.
“He’s in a really good headspace — it’s actually the best I’ve heard him. He’ll have some family time, and he’s expecting a baby in December with his partner (Bianca).
“I just think he’s got a new lease of life. It’s helped him no end. We’ve still got a long way to go, don’t get me wrong, in terms of him ticking all the boxes to be right for round two next year. But the early signs are fantastic.
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“If I was preparing him for a Melbourne Cup, you could say he’s doing really well in the early stages of his prep.
“They’re finely-tuned athletes, you want them right when the whips are cracking, and that will be March next year, when we want him ready.”
According to the Herald, the Storm have engaged a psychologist to help Munster stay on a healthy path.
Tripp shut down talk that Munster is a target for the 17th NRL franchise, and emphasised he is signed to Melbourne until the end of 2023 — the Dolphins’ inaugural season.
“He’s contracted to us, it’s not even a conversation, it hasn’t been one and it won’t be one,” he said.
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