NRL 2023: Melbourne Storm win 16-12 over Parramatta Eels in golden point thriller, Cameron Munster injury
The Eels had their chances to claim the opening match of the season, but they failed to take them and were defeated by a player with one functional hand and a coach who seemingly cannot lose.
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Harry Grant delivered Craig Bellamy his 19th-straight Round 1 win with a stunning solo try in golden point as Cameron Munster overcame a gruesome finger injury to help defeat the Eels 16-12 in an epic way to open the new season.
The representative hooker had a whale of a game making 58 tackles and running for 41 metres, and it was fitting that the man tasked with being the Storm’s main man around the ruck scythed his way through some gassed defenders to score the winner.
It was the only time the Storm led after they trailed 6-0 at the break and looked to be in disarray when star five-eighth Cameron Munster came off with what appeared to be a game-ending finger injury.
Munster rushed from the field midway through the first half after hurting himself making a tackle, with the Eels able to add to the pain when Will Penisini crossed for the first try of the season where the rep star usually would have been defending.
There were initial fears that the influential playmaker had suffered a compound fracture with the bone poking through the skin, but the Storm’s medical staff were able to pop the finger back in at halftime, allowing him to make a shock return with what was diagnosed as a compound dislocation.
“I think he broke a bone that came out of the skin so he’ll need an operation,” Craig Bellamy said.
“It was pretty brave.
“Hopefully he can have it (surgery) earlier in the week (and not miss any games). We’ve got a bit of a longer turnaround, but I’m not quite sure.”
MOSES SAGA
The Eels need to sort out Mitchell Moses’ future as soon as possible.
The elite halfback is reportedly set to re-sign but the fact it wasn’t done before the season opener is concerning given he said a few weeks ago that he wanted to get it done by now.
He weathered the storm early when he was belted late by Eliesa Katoa but he struggled to impose himself on the contest, throwing a loose pass in golden point that was spilt by halves partner Dylan Brown.
“We didn’t nail our chances,” skipper Clint Gutherson said.
“We had probably three or four chances at the backend with five minutes to go and then into extra-time. We had chances to get into position to have a shot, but we didn’t take the right options. We’ve got to learn from it.”
MUNNY MAGIC
It’s clear why the Storm were prepared to do anything to re-sign Munster last year when the Dolphins and other clubs were throwing absurd offers his way.
The bravery to come back from an injury like that was one thing, but he then produced the play of the night from a scrum when he passed to himself, attracted defenders and then set up Young Tonumaipea to tie things up.
He may have missed a field goal late in the game but he showed how important he is to a side that lost so much talent in the off-season and may not get Ryan Papenhuyzen back for months.
Munster is still in major doubt for next week’s game against the Bulldogs, while teammate Xavier Coates is also facing a nervous wait after he came off with a shoulder injury in the second half.
HOP VERY GOOD
They lost Isaiah Papali’i, Marata Niukore and Oregon Kaufusi to rivals clubs in the off-season, Ryan Matterson is out suspended and Shaun Lane is injured, but the Eels have unearthed a star of the future who could save their forward stocks.
Panthers officials knew how talented J’maine Hopgood was but they just couldn’t squeeze him in given Isaah Yeo isn’t going anywhere soon, but their loss is Parramatta’s gain with the lock a standout in a beaten side.
Hopgood finished with 164 metres and 55 tackles in a herculean effort in the middle, but the grand finalists need to work things out on the edges with the newcomers failing to offer any punch.
“He was really strong,” coach Brad Arthur said.
OBSTRUCTION DRAMA
We are 83 minutes into the new season and we’ve already seen the brain snap of the year and also a missed call that would have decided the game in regulation.
Eels fans were in disbelief when rampaging winger Maika Sivo opted to grubber from the first play when the Eels were on the attack with five minutes to go.
Sivo is strong enough to run over anyone but his kick dribbled dead and gave the Storm a seven tackle set that could have proved telling.
There was more drama after the siren when Moses put up a midfield bomb that ended up with the Storm.
The play fizzled out but the Eels should have been awarded a penalty when debutant Will Warbrick ran behind a teammate and passed, which would have given Moses a shot at goal from about 40 metres out.
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