Cameron Munster opens up on devastating double tragedy
Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster has detailed two hidden family tragedies that have affected his life off the field throughout the 2021 NRL season.
It's been a tumultuous season for Munster, who in addition to battling injuries and subsequent form struggles, has been dealing with significant upheaval at home as well.
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In an interview with Channel 9, Munster revealed he and his partner Bianca McMahon had been dealing with the emotional blows of the death of Bianca's mother, as well as a miscarriage prior to that.
McMahon's mother Maria passed away earlier this year after being diagnosed with cancer.
Though the Storm have maintained their standing as one of the NRL's premier club's despite the retirement of league legend Cameron Smith last year, Munster admitted it had been a challenging year.
“My partner lost her mum five months ago and before that, we had a miscarriage as well,” he said.
“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for the family. A bit of disbelief, to be honest, I didn’t think it happened.”
Munster became an ambassador for Ovarian Cancer Australia in the wake of Maria McMahon's passing.
The couple is hoping to put a tough year behind them though, having announced back in July that they were expecting another baby, due in December.
The 26-year-old five-eighth cracked that the concept of fatherhood was scarier than any on-field challenge.
“It’s a scary thought, I can barely look after myself,” Munster said.
“It’s going to be a nice change for myself. It will make me change all the things in my life and it’s probably for the better.”
Cameron Munster in race to prove fitness for NRL Finals
Munster admits he's wary about making any calls on his availability for next week's NRL finals clash with Manly.
The Storm five-eighth is recuperating after a cut on his left knee became infected and needed a surgical clean-out last week.
It means Munster will have to spend the next few days sidelined allowing the wound to heal.
While it's unlikely to rule him out of the qualifying final against the Sea Eagles on Friday, Munster won't be taking any unnecessary risks after rolling the dice on a foot injury before Origin I earlier this year.
Munster played for Queensland against NSW in the 50-6 defeat in Townsville, later admitting he'd had his "pants pulled down" and wasn't physically ready for that match.
It's a factor that is playing on his mind.
"It's a tough question ... if I don't play on Friday, well who knows where the situation goes? Anything can happen in finals footy," Munster told AAP.
"You can be the best team for 26 rounds and not play the best footy for two weeks and be out in straight sets.
"It's a tough situation I'm in. Of course, I would love to be out there but putting the ego aside at the end of the day.
"Fingers crossed I can get myself right. It's not ligaments or anything like that's it just the skin and the tissue's trying to heal."
With AAP
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