Cameron Munster's devastating family tragedy on eve of NRL season
Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster has been privately grieving the devastating death of the mother of his partner.
Munster's long-time girlfriend Bianca McMahon recently lost mother Maria after a battle with ovarian cancer.
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McMahon, who has been dating Melbourne Storm five-eighth Munster for several years, recently posted a family photo with the caption “always and forever”.
Munster, who also plays for Queensland and Australia, became a cancer ambassador during Maria's battle.
“Sadly, his partner’s mum passed away recently from cancer and Cam wants to make a difference as an ambassador for Ovarian Cancer Australia,” Munster's agent Shaun Pyne told the Courier Mail.
Munster, who relocated to the Sunshine Coast when the Storm were forced out of Melbourne for the majority of the 2020 season, said he was "lucky" to be so close to his partner's family.
“Luckily enough for me my partner’s mum and dad live down the road,” he said in October.
“So I was getting them to wash my clothes every week.”
He also posted a touching tribute to McMahon after helping the Storm win the 2020 NRL premiership and guiding Queensland to a shock State of Origin series win over NSW.
“To my Parents Deborah and Steven, I know I was a handful as a kid but your determination and hardworking attitude is the reason who I am today and I still use those words in everyday life so thank you for everything you’ve done because it’s shows hard work and a never die attitude gets you places,” he wrote on Instagram.
“My partner, your support through everything this year has been second to none.
“You have your own problems and you flush them down the drain just to hear me whinge about my performances each and every week not only having to put up with me 10 hours a day so thank you.”
McMahon also congratulated Munster and his Storm teammates.
“What an unforgettable season, full of unforgettable memories, with a very special bunch of people we call family. I’m so proud of you,” she wrote.
Munster was man of the match in Queensland's 20-14 win in Game III of the series, also winning the Wally Lewis Medal for man of the series.
Cameron Munster tipped to go even bigger in 2021
Brad Fittler believes James Tedesco and Cameron Munster will be duelling to be the new face of the NRL in 2021, with the game on the verge of its greatest changing of the guard in years.
Thursday night's kick off between Melbourne and South Sydney will mark the first time Cameron Smith hasn't started a season since 2002.
His expected retirement ends one of the great eras in the sport, following the departures of Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk in the past three years.
Tedesco and Munster look the most likely to claim Smith, Thurston, Slater and Cronk's crown and keep the Roosters and Storm as powerhouses.
Tedesco has been the best player in the world for the past three years, while the even faster rules look certain to suit the Roosters and Storm stars.
"Munster is someone who is going to come through (as the face of the game)," Fittler said.
"Teddy has an opportunity to be it as well.
"That's where State of Origin helps with the profile. If NSW win Teddy is it. But Cameron Munster last year, his series was incredible."
with AAP
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