Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster on the field goal that propelled premier past Souths
IT felt like the right thing to do — at the right time — so Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster just did it. And proved how important he is to Melbourne’s premiership defence.
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IT felt like the right thing to do so Cameron Munster just did it.
With scores locked in the 76th minute on Friday night, the fearless Melbourne Storm playmaker owned the clutch moment.
A quick play-the-ball from Felise Kaufusi was the catalyst for Munster, standing directly in front of the uprights about 35m out, to demand the ball.
“Smithy, hit me, hit me,” Munster yelled.
Storm captain Cameron Smith obliged and Munster delivered — with a helicopter punt field goal to propel the Storm past South Sydney, 29-28, and into yet another preliminary final.
“It wasn’t pretty but I’m just glad it went over and we got the win,” a modest Munster said.
“It was actually just spur of the moment, usually I would try to get to right post for my left foot but it didn’t work like that.
“I didn’t strike it well, but I hit it hard enough for it to go over and it stayed straight.”
Munster’s game is built on instinct and feel.
It is what makes the precocious 23-year-old one of the most exciting prospects in the game and — most sought-after playmaker in the business with a year to run on his contract.
The Test and Origin five-eighth abides by structure and system, but often plays backyard footy on the big stage — ducking and weaving, stopping and starting, like nobody is watching.
“I didn’t think about it (field goal) too much,” Munster said.
“That’s why it went over, if I thought about it too much it probably would have ended up in the crowd.
“I’m just off the cuff, if I want (the ball) I’ll get it and have a dig.”
Like the golden generation past, Munster is hungry for more success — this year and beyond.
“It’s going to be hard for us, obviously losing Billy (Slater), Coops last year, and most likely Smithy next year … they’re slowly fading away and us young blokes coming through just need to back ourselves and not put too much pressure on ourselves,” Munster said.
“There’s going to be so many critics and people writing us off, but I just know we got some depth and good people around us to keep us going forward.”
Smith heaped praise on Munster for having the confidence to own the moment — and importantly, execute.
“It just shows that he can sense he had an opportunity at a field goal there and he just whacked it,” Smith said on Friday night.
“It wasn’t the prettiest field goal, but it floated over and we got the result.
“He (Munster) had some really crucial plays for us, particularly late in the game. He is becoming more and more confident within himself to do that.”
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Originally published as Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster on the field goal that propelled premier past Souths
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