Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster has turned his back on rival contract offers, and has instead signed a four-year deal to remain in Melbourne until at least the end of the 2023 season.
The 24-year-old told The Courier-Mail he hopes to one day captain the Storm, as the club have kept their most sought-after player for the long-term.
“I’m really happy to secure my future with the club,” Munster said.
“It’s the first club that gave me the opportunity to play football, so I knew I needed to repay them and I know they’ve done a lot for me off-field as well.
“I’m pretty lucky to be surrounded by some great leaders at the Storm. Cameron Smith is probably the best captain you can ever have but I feel in the next phase of my career leadership and captaincy is definitely a goal of mine.
“I’m in no rush. When Cam retires, Jesse Bromwich is here as well and he’s captained his country, so we’re not short of leaders, but I’d like to think as I get older I can take some stuff from those guys and one day grow into a leader at this club.
“I’ve had to learn the hard way at times off the field but I feel I’ve grown up a lot this season and there’s more roles ahead for me at the Melbourne Storm.”
Munster was named the Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year in 2018, and has played 89 games for the Storm since making his debut for the club back in 2014.