Cameron Munster thriving under microscope of NRL rivals, says Brodie Croft
Melbourne Storm has elected not to escalate concerns with the NRL amid a barrage of late and illegal hits on Cameron Munster in recent weeks.
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Melbourne Storm has elected not to escalate concerns with the NRL amid a barrage of late and illegal hits on Cameron Munster in recent weeks.
The club, however, will monitor the situation, with dangerous tackles after kicks the grand finalist's biggest grievance.
Munster was held out of training last Monday after a knock to the knee late in the win over North Queensland.
Three Cowboys were sanctioned last week after separate incidents involving Munster, while Broncos hit man Matt Lodge served a two-match ban for "dangerous contact" with the superstar's legs in Round 1.
But Storm halfback Brodie Croft said the added attention has brought the best out of Munster, the competition's best player after five rounds.
"The way he's playing at the moment teams are out to get him," Croft told the Herald Sun.
"He just cops it on the chin and keeps getting back up and getting back into the contest.
"It's part and parcel playing the position we play in … you're going to get hit every now and then, you just got to cop your bruises."
Croft is desperate to get one back on the Roosters at AAMI Park after being tormented by the Tricolours in the decider last September.
It caps a whirlwind 12 months for the young gun, who lost his spot in Craig Bellamy’s team in Round 5 last year. But the 21-year-old, mature beyond his years, regained the No. 7 jersey for the NRL finals push.
Primed for a third battle with former mentor Cooper Cronk the emerging playmaker is settled in the revamped Storm spine after working hard to simplify the role in search of greater consistency.
"I just do my job … not trying to over complicate my role," Croft said.
"We learned a lot from last year and understanding … when are my times to take opportunities and when to work the team around into positions for other players in our team, who can do classy and unreal plays.
"I've found that balance and really enjoying it."
But form and footy paled into insignificance for Croft this week, who along with Sandor Earl, visited sick children in the Starlight Express Room at Monash Children's Hospital.
Toys, PlayStation and bingo was the best medicine for the smiling children, including Highett girl Emily Lever, the only person in the world to battle Dravet Syndrome (catastrophic epilepsy) and leukaemia.
"There is a really good feeling around the place considering the circumstances many of the kids are in, it certainly brings things back to reality," Croft said.
"It brought me back to when I was a kid and loved playing with cars and machines, I had a great time with Emily."
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