An surprising reshuffle of the backbone proved a profitable transfer for the Storm, however it might not have occurred had Cameron Munster not requested a place swap.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy named a well-recognized beginning line-up on Tuesday, which had Nick Meaney set to don the No.1 jumper whereas Munster linked up with Tyran Wishart within the halves.
But on Friday night a unique formation took to the sector as Munster returned to his roots to battle the Panthers within the function of fullback.
READ MORE: Cleary fumes as dodgy Grant act robs Panthers
READ MORE: Grant magic leads Storm to victory in golden point epic
READ MORE: Why ‘pear-shaped’ Man United could reignite ‘big four’ battle
Munster’s transfer then noticed Meaney revert again to the centres whereas Jonah Pezet began at five-eighth and Joe Chan was shifted to the bench.
The rationale for the motion was unclear at first however 9’s Billy Slater later revealed Munster needed to be the beginning fullback in opposition to Penrith.
Cameron Munster of the Melbourne Storm runs the ball. NRL Imagery
Munster didn’t shrink back when requested in regards to the transfer post-match and admitted he was looking for a possibility to rediscover his confidence on the sector.
“I simply felt prefer it freed me up somewhat bit,” Munster informed 9.
“In the intervening time, I simply really feel like I have to get again into enjoying some assured footy.
“I really feel like I can roam on each side. Generally I simply pigeonhole myself on the left and I do not get round to the appropriate (facet of the sector). I am simply making an attempt to play fullback somewhat bit extra.
“Clearly, when Paps (Ryan Papenhuyzen) comes again I’ve to have a bit extra of a dynamic sport. However for me (at fullback), I felt I might go left and proper and dictate play.
“It labored somewhat bit tonight however I might be so a lot better.”
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership dwell and free on 9 and 9Now.
The Queensland Maroons skipper went on to disclose the membership didn’t have entry to the identical degree of depth on the perimeters as they did within the halves to fill the void of injured stars.
“I simply felt we did not have to push too many individuals out of place,” he continued.
“We had Nick Meaney, he has been enjoying some actually good footy at fullback however we did not have sufficient exterior backs or centres to fill the void.
“We’ve got some nice depth within the halves so it was simple for me to return there and be extra of a operating menace, that’s my energy.
“We had Pezet on the bench and he was able to play, so we simply put him into halfback and Wishy (Wishart) at five-eighth.”
Munster impressed on the again, recording 171 run metres over 81 minutes.
The victory was not the best of duties for the visiting workforce as Harry Grant discovered the match-winning factors within the 81st minute to seal the result at 22-18.
Munster made positive to make clear that the Storm are a lot better than the show they produced at CommBank Stadium.
“The boys labored actually laborious so I’m very pleased with the win,” Grant informed 9.
“We have been working laborious for one another however not very neatly (within the first half). We have been enjoying dumb footy … while you play groups like Penrith, they’re very tight and good defensively.
“We had to ensure we received into our lanes and created some house. It occurred at occasions however we might be so a lot better.”
