Cameron Munster snatches thrilling 29-28 win for Storm over Rabbitohs

IN-DEMAND Melbourne playmaker Cameron Munster added some more dollars to an already hefty pay day as he stood up to lead his side to a thrilling NRL finals win over the Rabbitohs.

Storm players celebrate a Suliasi Vunivalu try against the Rabbitohs at AAMI Park. Picture: Getty Images

CAMERON Munster sent a tremor through the NRL when he put contract talks on hold at Melbourne Storm to focus on the finals.

Now, we know why.

No wonder when word got out about Munster’s decision about seven rival clubs picked up the phone and dialled his manager’s number.

The 2019 free agent added some more dollars to an already hefty potential pay day.

If good teams find ways to win, then good players stand up when it counts.

The Storm and Munster did that and then some, clawing back not once or twice but three times to stun South Sydney 29-28 at AAMI Park in front of a loud 17,306 crowd.

It places the Storm within a win of another grand final, the club’s eighth since 2006.

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Cameron Munster was the matchwinner for the Storm. Picture: Getty Images

Cameron Munster celebrates during Storm’s thrilling win over the Rabbitohs. Picture: AAP

Munster started slowly, working into the game, as did the Storm, but the Rockhampton whiz caught fire the longer the game went on.

His quick hands in close released Billy Slater and in turn Josh Addo-Carr who found Cheyse Blair with a deft kick to advantage for the equaliser.

Enter Munster.

With the game on the line and the Bunnies poised to strike back, the precocious five-eighth channelled his inner Cooper Cronk to slot the ugliest of field goal winners.

Like Cronk, ice runs through Munster’s veins in big moments.

We saw it in Origin last year, when he single-handedly crushed NSW hopes and dreams on debut.

Suliasi Vunivalu dives to score a try for the Storm. Picture: Getty Images

By his own admission, Munster said the kick felt nice off the boot but it was “ugly as sin”.

It mattered not on the scoreboard as the Steeden wobbled and floated over the bewildered Bunnies and through the uprights with three minutes to play.

If there was one thing the Bunnies didn’t want to do, having been winless in 14 previous visits to Melbourne, it was chase tail late in the game.

In contrast, if there is one thing the Storm love doing more than winning it’s shutting down desperate opposition teams at the death.

It was as much about pride as it was a preliminary final berth last night for the reigning premier, keen to stamp its September credentials after an inconsistent and — at times — frustrating season.

Storm players celebrate a Suliasi Vunivalu try against the Rabbitohs at AAMI Park. Picture: Getty Images

Suliasi Vunivalu made his presence felt, lining up Bunnies at every opportunity to put on legal but bone-jarring hits.

Souths skipper Greg Inglis bore the brunt of it early, a brutal Vunivali hit to the ribs rocking the former Storm icon to the core, then Felise Kaufusi followed suit slamming Sam Burgess for an important turnover.

Christian Welch lined up Souths playmaker Adam Reynolds for another decisive hit.

The Storm means business in September.

The cheer squad warned as much with: ‘Show no fear, we’re stepping up another gear’ emblazoned on the banner.

The Storm did their bit too, on the paddock, where it counts.

MELBOURNE 29 (C Blair 2 S Vunivalu 2 C Scott tries C Smith 4 goals C Munster field goal) bt SOUTH SYDNEY 28 (G Inglis 2 D Gagai R Jennings C Murray tries A Reynolds 4 goals) at AAMI Park. Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee.