Cameron Munster move shut down as NRL great floats wild theory about Nathan Cleary and family

NRL great Scott Sattler has dismissed suggestions Cameron Munster could play for the new PNG team in 2028, but floated a 'conspiracy' around Nathan Cleary, Ivan Cleary and Mary Fowler. The new PNG team was officially announced on Thursday, with the Australian government to contribute $600 million to the franchise over a 10-year period.

The NRL's newest team must now begin the process of sounding out players who might want to join, and a number of big names like Munster and Cleary have been floated. But speaking on SEN radio on Thursday evening, Sattler shot down suggestions that veteran players like Munster (who have small children) would be willing to move to PNG with their families.

The PNG government will build a secure compound for the players and their families to live in, due to the country having the second-highest crime rate in the world. PNG Prime Minister James Marape has ensured prospective players they'll be completely safe, but Sattler said he can't see players with young families moving there.

"Cameron Munster will be 33, going on 34 (in 2028)," Sattler said. "He's got three kids at the moment and may have more by then. I can't see Munster taking his young family up to Port Moresby."

Sattler suggested the kind of players more likely to join the PNG team are younger guys who don't have kids, who are looking to earn a first-grade position and earn some extra money. Due to tax exemptions being part of the deal to bring the PNG team in, players who join won't have to pay any tax and lose a chunk of their salaries to the government.

It means players on $1 million per season would normally pay over $400,000 of that in tax to the government. But players who join the PNG team will keep the full $1 million.

Scott Sattler fuels Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler theory

And according to Sattler, suggestions that Cleary could join the new team aren't too far-fetched. Cleary's girlfriend Mary Fowler has PNG heritage, and the Penrith Panthers star has been touted as the new team's ideal target.

Nathan and Ivan Cleary are both off contract at the end of 2027, and Nathan's brother Jett is starting his NRL career. Speaking fairly tongue-in-cheek, Sattler said: "Nathan and Ivan Cleary come off contract at the end of 2027, and by 2028 Jett Cleary might have played 50 NRL games with the Warriors. For 2028, the conspiracy is all going to play out.

"The Clearys times three - Ivan, Nathan and Jett - will sign with PNG, and move up there with Mary. We think this could be a conspiracy that's all been playing out in front of our eyes."

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Sattler's comments appeared to be in jest, but as he said there's a number of reasons it makes sense. Fowler's PNG heritage and the fact the Clearys are off contract right when the PNG will come into the competition appear to suggest the move has some merit.

However the big sticking point would be the fact Fowler plays her club football with Manchester City in England. It appears highly unlikely she'll give up her career in Europe to move to PNG, which would mean travelling 2000km to play for the Brisbane Roar if she wants to continue her career.

Earlier this week, Nathan Cleary also revealed he's keen to start a family in the near future. But would he and Fowler be willing to do so in a compound in Port Moresby? It's hard to see it happening.