Munster move may have big say in Storm’s 2017

One of the Storm’s greatest ever players will return to the fold in 2017 when Billy Slater makes his return from injury after missing practically the entire 2016 season.

Most sides would be catastrophically affected by the loss of a player of Slater’s ability so early in the season, but the Storm are not like most sides.

Step forward then 21- year-old Cameron Munster to fill the void.

Munster filled in at fullback for Slater in 2015 from round 12 onward after the Storm, Maroons and Kangaroos first choice fullback was struck down by injury.

Originally planning to spend 2016 in the centres, Munster was forced to rely on his 2015 experience following Slater’s extremely early-season injury.

Just as he did in 2015, Munster excelled in the number one jersey, and Storm fans can be forgiven for sometimes forgetting that one of the best fullbacks in the modern era was sitting on the sideline unavailable.

Without giving it a whole lot of in depth thought, I’d argue that Munster was one of the top five fullbacks across 2016, and looks set to hold down the position for many years to come.

With Billy Slater back training and almost certain to be ready by round one, Munster’s role will still be very important for the Melbourne side, however it most likely won’t be in his favoured custodial role.

With Grand Final five-eighth Blake Green moving to the Sea Eagles, a vacancy has opened up in the halves, with Munster the most likely to fill it.

Young Curtis Scott is also a contender, as are other players, but right now Munster looks the obvious option. If Scott is favoured, and it would be a real shock if he were, Munster would return to the centres.

It seems like a lot of pressure to put one such a young player but it may be Munster’s ability to adapt quickly to his new role that could see the Storm sink or swim in 2017.

Craig Bellamy is one of the best coaches of the modern era. His game plans and structures have completely changed rugby league as teams struggle to find ways to keep up with his innovations.

His ability to indentify talent is second to none. Just look at Vunivalu’s debut season, keeping in mind that paving the way for his debut was the fact three or four other first grade outside backs had suffered injuries.

Bellamy has a knack of getting the absolute best out of players, and has turned fringe-first graders into genuine stars.

If any coach can motivate and convert a star fullback into a star five-eighth in one off-season, it is the Storm mentor.

Bellamy does have a brilliant canvas to work with as Munster has all the tools to make a very successful switch.

He has the footwork, the speed, the playmaking ability, and seems to have a head on his shoulders that is far beyond his years and experience.

The 22 year-old also has Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater there to lead him in the right direction.

There is no doubt that the Storm are a better side with both Munster and Slater in the side. Slater has been the game’s best fullback for many years, and despite not playing all that often over the past two seasons, would be the number one choice at fullback across the large majority of NRL clubs.

Munster’s future probably lies in the number one role, but his move into the halves feels a lot like when Greg Inglis moved into the halves through necessity. Or the time that Jamie Lyon shifted into the halves from centre.

To put Munster amongst that pedigree of talent is probably a little premature, but there is no doubt he has the talent to provide similar performances.

The Storm’s 2017 season probably won’t come down to Munster’s ability to adjust to his new role, but with Blake Green gone, the Storm need Munster to settle in as quickly as possible.

With other sides around them getting better, and without a recognised, experienced number six screaming for selection, this may the time the Storm finally fall back to the chasing pack.

Unfortunately for those sides chasing the Storm, Cameron Munster is a player very capable of making the number six role his own, and perhaps making the Storm even that little bit more dangerous.