Cameron Munster’s return triggers a Storm stampede

If Cameron Munster isn’t the best player in the NRL, he is knocking on the door.

Storm five-eighth Cameron Munter returned from injury with a bang opening the scoring against the Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

If Cameron Munster isn’t the best player in the NRL, he is knocking on the door.

The Queensland Origin superstar on Friday night made a miraculous return from injury, then unleashed a special brand of playmaking magic to orchestrate Melbourne’s thumping of the Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Munster was originally expected to miss a month with a knee injury and the Titans rued his shock comeback a fortnight early as the Maroons ace and the other Cameron – talismanic skipper Smith – terrorised the Titans.

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James Tedesco, Luke Keary and Smith are probably the code’s top three players but Munster’s masterful mauling of the Gold Coast is evidence he can become the king of the NRL.

With Munster and Smith pulling the strings, the Storm were never troubled, leading 18-6 at halftime before sinking the Titans to temporarily claim a share of the NRL lead with Parramatta.

If Munster stays fit, the Storm can win another premiership. There is no more gifted footballer in the league.

There was his rampaging straight-line burst to crash over and open the scoring in the 20th minute. Then came a sublime double-pump and cut-out ball from a scrum win for Josh Addo-Carr’s try 10 minutes later.

Munster tormented and teased with short balls, deft kicks and slick game-management which gave space for Melbourne monsters Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to crush their rivals.

Fa’asuamaleaui in particular is a frightening sight. Big Tino will join the Titans next year and Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook has reason to get excited.

The 115kg forward belted the Titans in defence and made a series of ferocious charges with 107 metres and four tackle busts. Fa’asuamaleaui is a future Queensland Origin player.

It was another dismal defensive display from the Titans, who leaked seven tries with Asofa-Solomona and Addo-Carr each celebrating doubles to leave the Coast floundering in second last.

The Titans came into the match having conceded the most tries in the middle-third. Once again, they were pathetic in midfield. Storm maestro Smith set-up three tries with clever passes for Munster (20th minute) and Asofa-Solomona, who barged over twice in the 36th and 43rd minutes from close range.

The Titans are mentally soft and Holbrook has to fix it. While Munster and Smith were classy conductors, the Gold Coast continue to self-destruct with fundamental mistakes.

The Titans suffered another injury blow with promising halfback Jamal Fogarty hobbling off in the second half with a knee problem. Holbrook will hope the injury is not as serious as his side’s defensive issues.

The Courier-Mail