Melbourne Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster is on the mend following the video scandal of Munster and fellow Storm teammates Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis caught with a white substance, resulting in Munster entering a rehabilitation facility a month ago.
A month later and the five-eighth is set to leave the facility and is in a good headspace, which has pleased Storm Chairman Matt Tripp.
"He rang me yesterday, and he sounded terrific," Tripp told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"I couldnโt be happier with his progress. Heโs really excited about getting stuck into the pre-season with the boys and getting back to Melbourne."
"Heโs in a really good headspace - itโs actually the best Iโve heard him. Heโll have some family time, and heโs expecting a baby in December with his partner Bianca.
"I just think heโs got a new lease of life. Itโs helped him no end. Weโve still got a long way to go, donโt get me wrong, in terms of him ticking all the boxes to be right for round two next year."
Munster went close to being sacked by Tripp and the Storm board but decided to offer him rehabilitation to get him back on the right track.
"The board came close to terminating his contract, but the same board are fully united in wanting to help turn his life around and make him a long-term Melbourne Storm player. I know he will repay the faith. Iโm confident of that. And so are the board," Tripp told the publication at the time.
The Queensland origin star was fined $30,000 by the NRL and then an additional $100,000 fine by the Storm for his role in the video scandal, and previously opened up in a statement outlining his struggles with alcohol.
"As youโve read in the media, I met with Storm Management and the NRL Integrity Unit shortly after the incident. Iโve been sanctioned for my actions, and I accept that I should be sanctioned," Munster's statement read.
"As some of you may know, Iโve had a difficult relationship with alcohol in the past. I thought that I had dealt with the issue, but clearly I still have some hurdles to overcome."
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With Munster now to exit rehab, he can start to get back into training, although rumors have circulated over the star five-eighth's availability to join new expansion side The Dolphins.
Tripp was quick to shut these rumors down however.
"Heโs contracted to us, itโs not even a conversation, it hasnโt been one and it wonโt be one," Tripp claimed.
Munster is still contracted with the Storm until the end of the 2023 season.
