MUNSTER’S SKILLS ADD UP TO WIN
Storm superstar runs amok as Sharks sink despite best efforts to stick with rivals
IF ANY NRL club wants Cam Munster in 2023, the price just went up.
He played a game for the ages on Saturday night at AAMI Park – and it took every bit of razzle-dazzle from the out-of-contract five-eighth for Melbourne to eventually wear down Cronulla to win 34-18.
With the teams separated in second place only on points differential, there was a finals-type feel throughout a highly skilled contest.
And while the expected great contest ensued, it was far from the dour defensive battle that some experts had predicted.
But after both teams had traded scoring raids, it was a series of Munster magic tricks that proved the difference, despite repeated brilliance from Cronulla centre Siosifa Talakai who, by any other measure, would have been a standout best afield.
Munster laid on two stunning tries, scored an instant classic all by himself and produced a second-half kick-off that, remarkably, produced a try before a tackle had been laid after the break.
Still, for all Munster’s athletic magnificence, will and drive, the Sharks were still right in the contest and only six points down when they made their first handling error of the match after 63 minutes.
As they had all night, the Storm made the visitors pay at every opportunity and, uncharacteristic of a fierce contest, it was a relatively easy Harry Grant grounding soon afterwards that sealed the result.
The Sharks looked dangerous heading left throughout the match, particularly when the ball went through the hands of Talakai, who set up Ronaldo Mulitalo’s brace with great hands.
But while they showed they’ll be around the mark come September, the Sharks couldn’t match Melbourne’s attacking efficiency when they reached the red zone, with the home team scoring on almost all of their six line breaks.
Half the crowd weren’t back in their seats when the Storm opened the second-half with a party trick.
Munster found touch with his kick restart and from the resultant scrum on the Sharks’ 10m line, halfback Jahrome Hughes put rampant centre Justin Olam into a gap at pace to score his second try.
Earlier, an electric first-half produced two world-class tries and some outstanding defence to prevent another couple more at each end.
Talakai capped an audacious two-play raid from the Sharks’ own 20m line. Former Storm utility Nico Hynes – now at halfback for the Sharks – sprung outside back Jesse Ramien with a precision kick from midfield on the third tackle.
The Storm backs did brilliantly to prevent an 80m strike down the right, but were powerless after Ramien unloaded on the next tackle and the ball swung along the backline all the way to Talakai in the left corner.
But the dust had barely settled when Munster helped to add more dollars to future contract offers with a sensational solo effort from 40m out to restore the home team’s lead.
He offered a spinning dummy to find space, hit the afterburners to get clear and then threw another two dummies to leave a trail of sprawling Sharks defenders in his wake.