MURPHY MARKS 100 GAMES
Munster looks for extra NRL edge Sharks tell rookie to back himself
BACKED by his coach Craig Bellamy, Melbourne playmaker Cameron Munster’s high-risk plays are reaping rewards for the unbeaten NRL club.
Munster stole the ball from his opponent three times in a rare feat to help set up the Storm’s big win over Penrith last round.
Bellamy said post-match that the 24-year-old’s creativity was a huge plus for the club, and he liked that he wasn’t scared to take a risk. SUNSHINE Coast halfback Todd Murphy is set to reach his milestone 100th state league game this weekend and says achieving the feat in Falcons colours and on home turf will be a proud moment. The 28-year-old will achieve the feat when the Falcons host Northern Pride at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday. He’s accumulated the total following time with Redcliffe (two games), the former Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles (17 games), Easts (six games) and Norths (71 games). His fourth match for the Falcons this weekend will tip him into the 100 club. “I wouldn’t have thought I’d played 100 but obviously I’m just getting a bit older and they’re starting to add up so I’m looking forward to it,” Murphy said. “It’s obviously a good achievement for myself and I’m looking forward to playing and doing it up here on the Coast.”
TOM THREADINGHAM
Ahead of their NRL clash with Canterbury at AAMI Park on Sunday, Munster said he now felt comfortable enough in his role with Melbourne to back himself to pull off a one-on-one steal.
“I used to do it in reserve grade and I’d gone away from it because I know if a one-oneone steal doesn’t come off then we could very well be down the other end of the field,” Munster said yesterday.
“It’s a bit easier now with the rule change – making contact with two people and if the other one jumps off you can steal the ball there – so that’s something I’ve focused on.”
If his form continues Munster’s haul won’t just include ball steals but some silverware: he is an early favourite to win the Dally M.
The five-eighth said it was a nice accolade but wouldn’t mean much until the back end of the season.
“I’d rather be at the top with the Storm and that’s my focus,” he said. “It’s a big trophy to get and those things come if you’re playing good footy.
“I just need to worry about playing my game.” AAP HE’S been heralded as one of the most exciting talents to hit the NRL in several years, and now Bronson Xerri has been told by his Cronulla teammates to back himself.
The rugby league world will get its first look at the Sharks local junior against Parramatta an ANZ Stadium on Saturday.
He is just 18, but his debut has been planned for some time.
Former coach Shane Flanagan wanted to blood him last year but was forced to hold him back because of the NRL’s age restrictions.
Xerri showed a glimpse of his class in the pre-season in an 80m runaway try in the Sharks’ trial win over Manly.
And the club is so confident in his ability, they last year locked him down until the end of 2021 to keep him out of the reach of rivals.
Xerri gets his chance after Matt Moylan (hamstring) was ruled out for several weeks, a diagnosis that sees Josh Dugan switch to fullback.
“He’s had a really good preseason, performed really well in the trials. All of the boys are confident in his ability and looking forward to seeing how he goes,” Sharks centre Josh Morris said. “He’s fit right in and all the boys are confident in him. It’s all you could ask for in a young fella.”
On Tuesday, he captured hearts when a hidden camera in coach John Morris’ office recorded his reaction when told he would debut this week.
“I thought it was pretty cool to see that type of reaction,” Morris said. “It would have been interesting to see what mine was like all those years ago. I thought it was a great job to show that raw side.” AAP