‘Pleasure to have him around’: Cameron Munster prepares to bring up major milestone for the Storm

He comes across as a larrikin on and off the field, but Cameron Munster is so much more than that, and it’s something not lost on his coach.

Cameron Munster grew up with the Storm’s big three, but he’s now the face of the club as he prepares to bring up a major milestone this weekend. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has dealt with plenty of big personalities throughout his more than two decades at the club, but none compare to champion five-eighth Cameron Munster who has learnt how to mix the mischief with his mercurial talent as he brings up a major milestone this week.

Munster will play his 200th NRL game against the Titans on Saturday, 10 years after he made his Storm debut.

He grew up playing alongside the original big three of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, but he’s now the face of the club alongside Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes and Harry Grant, with Melbourne playing some of the most attractive football they have in years.

Cameron Munster started his career alongside the Storm’s legends, but he’s now the face of the club. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“To play 200 games for this great club, I’m pretty lucky. I know there are a lot of blokes that played a lot of games for this team and some big names like Cooper and Billy and obviously Cameron Smith,” he said.

“So to have 200 games and played alongside those three is very special for myself and my family.”

Munster, 29, has won two titles with the Storm and has starred on the rep stage for the Maroons, with the larrikin carving up at fullback while Slater was injured before he made the permanent move to the halves.

He’s attracted huge interest from rivals every time he’s off contract, but he’s always stayed loyal to the Storm where he’s settled down with his young family.

Munster was the best player on the field against South Sydney on Anzac Day. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“When I was obviously a kid, I had a lot of opportunities to go elsewhere, and I had a couple of offers on the table, but for me, looking back at it, I’m so glad I made the decision to come down here,” he said.

“I learned a lot, especially from the big three, but then the big fella next to me (Bellamy), everyone laughs about me being his son and having that love-hate relationship that we have going on, but I knew deep down that I didn’t want to be coached by anyone else.

“I’m still trying to get him to stay longer, as he’s getting long in the tooth, but for me, yeah, I’m just very grateful for the owners, and obviously Craig guided me into the person I am.

“I know I have some rough edges like I speak about all the time, but I genuinely have a massive care for this club, and I’m hoping it goes in the right direction once I decide to retire and hopefully guide the younger boys in the right direction and keep this club successful like the big three did.”

Munster and coach Craig Bellamy have forged a special bond off the field. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Munster has been a prankster off the field that the usually reserved Bellamy has probably secretly enjoyed at times, but behind the curtain he’s a calculated playmaker who can destroy opponents with two or three dazzling plays, even if it doesn’t always look like he knows what he’s doing.

“He’s had a colourful career, but there are a couple of really important things,” Bellamy said.

“Ever since he’s been here, even as a kid, he always had a genuine care for the club and what the club is about but also his teammates. And I think that’s what makes him the player he is and the person he is.

“So even though he’s had that knockabout sort of persona, he has got a real genuine care about his teammates and about our team and I think that’s one thing that probably gets looked over at times.

“He sees things a lot of other people don’t on the footy field, and I think that’s probably his greatest strength. And I think sometimes he’s not quite sure what he sees either, but he makes something out of it.

“He’s been a real pleasure to coach. He’s been interesting at times but it’s been a pleasure to have him around because even you know in the tough times he finds a way to light things up, which is also a great trait to have.”