Cameron Munster's heartwarming gesture to wife and NRL coach ahead of 200th Storm milestone

Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster has paid tribute to his wife and father-figure and coach Craig Bellamy ahead of his 200th game for Melbourne this week. Munster will join NRL icons Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk as just one of nine Storm players to reach 200 games for the club when he runs out on Saturday night.

Munster has gone through his fair share of tough times throughout his NRL career, but has emerged on the other side a greater player and father as he remains the premier five-eighth in the game. The NRL larrikin endured a horror 2018 grand final loss to the Sydney Roosters where he was sent to the sin-bin twice.

In 2021, he was caught up in the "white powder" scandal when there was speculation his contract would be torn up. Although, Munster turned it around having put himself on an alcohol ban for more than a year in 2022.

Munster and his partner are expecting their third child and the Storm star was full of praise for his 'rock', Bianca, and how she helped him as a teenager navigate the tough times in his career. “Obviously a 19-year-old kid coming down here," he said about the start of his journey.

"Meet my beautiful wife and then have two kids now and funnily enough I’ve got another one on the way so yeah it’s going to be a busy household if it’s not busy enough with two boys but third one on the way and yeah head’s fallen off but lucky enough I’ve got my wife there that’s pretty much my rock. I couldn’t barely tie my shoelaces when I got down here so she’s done a lot for me.”

Cameron Munster praises Craig Bellamy ahead of milestone

Munster joins an elite list of players that includes Smith, Cronk, Slater, Jesse Bromwich, Ryan Hoffman, Matt Geyer, Will Chambers and Kenny Bromwich to reach 200 games for the Storm. And Munster admitted a lot of it was down to coach Bellamy.

Munster has played fullback in Slater's absence, but turned into the Kangaroos and Maroons playmaker when he was shifted to five-eighth. Munster exudes his own personality on the field and his game has developed under the guidance of Bellamy.

And the 29-year-old has admitted he has turned down plenty of attention from other clubs to stay under his 'father-figure' throughout his career. “When I was obviously a kid, I had a lot of opportunities to go elsewhere, and I had a couple of offers on the table, but for me, looking back at it, I’m so glad I made the decision to come down here,” he said.

“I learned a lot, especially from the big three, but then the big fella next to me (Bellamy), everyone laughs about me being his son and having that love-hate relationship that we have going on, but I knew deep down that I didn’t want to be coached by anyone else. I’m still trying to get him to stay longer, as he’s getting long in the tooth, but for me, yeah, I’m just very grateful for the owners, and obviously Craig guided me into the person I am.

“I know I have some rough edges like I speak about all the time, but I genuinely have a massive care for this club, and I’m hoping it goes in the right direction once I decide to retire and hopefully guide the younger boys in the right direction and keep this club successful like the big three did.”

Craig Bellamy praises Cameron Munster

Bellamy was full of praise for Munster ahead of his 200th game and admitted his impromptu footy is what makes him one of the all-time greats of the game. "He sees things that a lot of other people don't on the footy field, and I think that's probably his greatest strength," Bellamy said on Monday.

"Sometimes he's not quite sure what he sees either, but he makes something out of it. He's been a real pleasure to coach. It's been interesting at times, but it's been a pleasure to have him around because even in the tough times he finds a way to lighten things up, which is a great trait to have."

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Bellamy said one of Munster's greatest strengths was his willingness to always improve himself and those around him. This comes having worked past some of the setbacks that have come with being a rugby league player. "He was just living his life as young guys do at times, but being this talented footy player, with a whole heap of talent, he was more in the spotlight," Bellamy said.

"It's wonderful how he has matured, his care for the team and his care about his footy now - he's still looking to improve, even though he's playing State of Origin and played for Australia and for premiership-winning sides. He's still got this mentality that he can be better and help the team out more."