- Cameron Munster did a stint in rehab after white powder scandal
- Maroons skipper struggled with gambling, alcoholism and anxiety
NRL superstar Cameron Munster has revealed that the infamous ‘white powder’ scandal that saw him go to rehab for gambling and binge-drinking issues cost him almost $500,000.
The newly appointed Queensland Maroons skipper has opened up about how an off-field incident left him with a staggering financial toll and almost derailed his entire footy career.
Munster, who has been open about his struggles with gambling, alcoholism and anxiety, made headlines in 2021 after he was pictured with a white substance during a heavy drinking session with teammates.
The 30-year-old was fined $130,000, forced to undergo treatment for alcohol and banned from drinking by the club for 12 months.
‘I was down in the dumps that they were going to sack me,’ Munster told News Corp.
‘You always have things in your head and doubts as to whether the club would want me anymore. I had a loose mentality.
Cameron Munster came within an inch of being sacked by the Melbourne Storm over his infamous white powder scandal
Footy star (pictured with wife Bianca and three children) checked himself into rehab in 2021
‘There is a time and place for everything and the truth is I got myself into a downward spiral.
‘I started hanging around the wrong people.
‘Once I got into that space, I needed help to get out of it.’
Munster checked himself into a rehab facility in Brisbane – the very same that Broncos star Ezra Mam attended following his recent controversies.
The month-long stay cost him $80,000 – and the club wasn’t helping out with any of the costs.
Munster says that with lost sponsorships, fines and legal bills, the whole affair cost him around half-a-million dollars.
‘At the end of the day, the Storm wanted to do the best thing for me and that meant going to where I went,’ he said.
‘I agreed to do it.
Leaked mobile phone images showed Munster and former Storm teammates partying in a hotel room with a mystery white powder
Munster estimates that the whole affair cost him around $500,000
‘I had to change my life.
‘In rehab, I learnt who my close friends were.
‘You get to the professional stage of rugby league with the limelight and it might not be rock star status, but I started to think I was a rock star.
‘I needed to see who my real friends were.
‘To be honest, I learnt there wasn’t a whole heap there for me. I have a small circle now and it’s one of those periods where I had to grow up and I believe I have.
‘Looking back, I’m glad I did it. It’s been for the better.’
Munster, who now has three kids with his wife Bianca, now leads a more settled life.
‘I’m not going to say I’m off the piss forever, but I’m not out of control now,’ he said.
‘I play my best footy when I’m off the piss and I haven’t had a beer for a while actually.
‘It’s now one of those things where it’s time and place.
‘Hangovers aren’t fun when you have kids at home.
Munster leads a much more settled life these days and is in control of his drinking – which he does rarely
‘All they want is to spend time with their dad and mum and I want to be that dad spending time with them and giving them the best life they can have.
‘The last thing you want to do is be sleeping for 10 hours the next day and not being present as a dad.
‘I’ve had my years of fun and now I’m devoted to my family. I want to lead them in the right direction as young growing men and a young daughter.
‘My wife Bianca and kids have been an integral part of my journey and I’m really grateful that they walked into my life.’
