Forget Big 3, loss may be a Munster

MELBOURNE’S ‘‘big three’’ enjoy most of the plaudits but, as his two former teams ready for battle in Townsville, Dallas Johnson believes the potential loss of Cameron Munster would be a huge Cowboys leg-up.

Munster has been in great form all season and was rewarded with a Queensland debut, outstanding at fiveeighth in the Maroons’ seriesdeciding win in Game Three.

But the 22-year-old is in doubt for Friday’s blockbuster after twinging his ankle in Sunday’s 40-6 belting of Manly.

“He most definitely is their X-factor,” Johnson said.

“Everyone thought when he was playing at fullback he was awesome and it may be remiss to play him at five-eighth, but he’s taken that really well.

“He’s building confidence off Origin as well. To play that well on debut shows he’s going to be around a fair while.”

If Munster plays it would set up an intriguing battle with Michael Morgan, after he was given the nod to play fiveeighth over the Cowboys playmaker in Origin III.

But Storm coach Craig Bellamy said Munster was in extreme doubt after the Storm’s win over the Sea Eagles.