Munster delivers again for Storm with season on line

Joel Gould | September 16, 2023

You have to hand it to Cameron Munster.

When the game is on the line no one wants it more than Melbourne’s talismanic five-eighth.

The Storm’s 18-13 win over the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park to advance to the preliminary final against Penrith next Friday night was in no small part due to Munster’s desire and skill.

His pinpoint 79th-minute cross-field kick for winger Will Warbrick to snatch a remarkable catch and score was pure Munster magic.

The Storm were far from their best but they found a way against the Roosters.

Munster made 128 metres from 17 runs but it was some of his defensive work in the second half that was decisive.

The 2017 and 2020 premiership winner smashed Angus Crichton and Sam Walker, made a try saver on Victor Radley and then pulverised Siua Wong late to force an error.

He also missed tackles, ran around like a headless chook and got frustrated at times – but when panic could have set in he provided the magic to get Melbourne home.

Munster and hooker Harry Grant were disgusted with the way they played the previous week in the 26-0 qualifying loss to Brisbane.

Without injured half Jahrome Hughes both needed to aim up and they provided crucial try assists in each half.

Munster had warned he wouldn’t have two bad games in a row and he lived up to his word.

The Roosters have had the edge on the Storm in big games in recent times, with their 2018 grand final win and 2019 preliminary final triumph.

Melbourne’s victory on Friday, their ninth in a row at AAMI Park, will give them hope a fourth title is in their grasp – but they will have to be far better to trouble the Panthers.

The Roosters, decimated by injury and suspension with more than a quarter of their top squad unavailable, hung in superbly.

After six wins in a row and a gallant attempt at a seventh, Trent Robinson’s men can hold their heads high.