Cameron Munster will voluntarily enter a treatment facility for four weeks to address his alcohol use, the NRL star announced on Tuesday. He and Melbourne Storm teammates Brandon Smith and Chris Lewis have been sanctioned by the NRL for their post-season behaviour, which included videos showing Munster dancing on a table and a white substance visible in a hotel room.
The trio were issued breach notices for bringing the game into disrepute. They will miss the 2022 season opener and face fines, with Munster receiving the largest penalty of $30,000. Warriors youngster Reece Walsh was also sanctioned after a Gold Coast arrest leading to a drug investigation; he faces a two-game ban and a $5,000 fine.
Munster acknowledged a “difficult relationship” with alcohol, stating, “Clearly I still have some hurdles to overcome. I made the decision, in consultation with the club doctor to seek some help with this battle. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be attending a treatment facility for the next four weeks.” Melbourne Storm has imposed a 12-month alcohol ban on the representative playmaker.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the players had let the rugby league community down. “I understand that players have endured a long season under strict protocols. However, there is no excuse for the behaviour we have seen over the past week,” he stated. The sanctions include rehabilitation and development components.
Storm boss Justin Rodski noted that the players had not admitted drug use and the NRL could not test them due to its off-season testing policy. “Through excessive consumption of alcohol and intoxication the players have limited memory of what did or didn’t take place in that hotel room,” he said. Walsh, celebrating his debut season, was arrested after returning to a nightclub strip when asked to move on by police.
