Melbourne Storm’s Cameron Munster must battle Second Year Syndrome in a different position

THE threat of Second Year Syndrome presents an enormous challenge for Cameron Munster. Not only must the 21-year-old recreate the brilliant form of 2015. He must do so in a different position.

Cameron Munster of the Melbourne Storm during their round 1 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the St George Illawarra Dragons at AAMI Stadium in Melbourne, Monday, March 7, 2016. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

ON opening night at Melbourne’s AAMI Park Cameron Munster is in the centres and Billy Slater at fullback. Both are in prominent roles for the Storm, but it still seems like the understudy had handed back the microphone to the leading man and returned to the chorus.

The threat of Second Year Syndrome presents an enormous challenge for those rare few who immediately light up the competition. For Munster, it could prove doubly difficult. Not only must the 21 year-old recreate the brilliant form of 2015. Upon the return of one of the greatest fullbacks in the game’s history, he must play in a different position

“Everyone knows the second year can be tough,’’ Munster says. “I just need to keep working on the little weaknesses in my game other teams will try to find.’’

Cameron Munster crosses the line for the first of three tries against the Titans last year. Picture: Colleen Petch

On opening night, few weaknesses are exposed. In a tight, error-prone two point win over St George-Illawarra, Munster is not the rampaging presence he had been last year. But his tight defence on another fullback turned centre Josh Dugan catches the eye.

“I only played one year in the centres back home,’’ Munster says, who battled a pre-season knee injury to be fit for the first game. “I’ll have to get used to tackling bigger bodies and putting my body on the line and taking bigger tackles. But I don’t mind that.’’

The only criticism comes from Craig Bellamy who is bemused to see his young centre skating on top of the slippery surface.

“He might need to get himself a new pair of boots,’’ the coach says.

This is ironic in two ways. Just a few years ago Munster was working in a sports store in his home town and, last season, potential footwear sponsors were lining up to put his name on their product.

This weekend Munster and the Storm take on the Gold Coast Titans. It was a hat-trick against the same opposition last year that made it clear Slater’s replacement was no mere fill-in.

Billy Slater chats with Cameron Munster during training last year.

It was that game, Munster says, gave him the confidence to express himself on the field. Although you suspect he has never been a shrinking violet.

He speaks rapidly and with confidence and has, you suspect, the exuberance of youth.

“That exuberance, and that of Munster’s emerging Queensland teammates, earned him a year-long representative ban after some players went out drinking in camp in February.

He says a lesson was learned.

“I made a silly mistake and I’ll cop that on the chin,” he says. “If I get that chance to go to that camp again I won’t muck up, I’ll be head down and arse up. But for now I’ll worry about playing for the Storm.’

Cameron Munster in action against the Dragons.

Munster has become the archetypal Storm recruit: Queensland passport, hardened by monstrous pre-seasons, mentored by the Big Three and thriving on Bellamy’s tough love. Although for a Queensland kid, the presence of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk in the sheds was initially a far more intimidating aspect of Melbourne life than the too-cool patrons in the local laneway bars.

“The first 10 months I was still pinching myself I was training with them or talking to them and doing video with them,’’ says Munster. “I just couldn’t believe it. Now I feel like they’re good mates and they’re there to help me out. That’s the thing about those guys, they’ll do anything for you.’’

When Slater hurt his shoulder in June and Munster inherited the great fullback’s position, a bond was formed between master and apprentice. Something Munster says is indicative of both the Storm’s strong culture and Slater’s generosity.

“He could have been down in the dumps because he had a season-ending injury, but he took time out of his schedule to help me and evaluate what we could do better as a team,’’ Munster says.

Emerging Maroons players Cameron Munster and Mosses Mbye.

Slater’s tutorials were about positioning, timing attacks and being in the right place even before the right time.

‘‘Cameron’s a great athlete, but he’s a real footballer as well,’’ Slater says. “That’s what made him so dangerous last year. Hopefully he can continue to have that involvement playing in a different position but the second year isn’t easy.

‘’Everyone is now aware of which side of the field you play on, which leg you step off, which side you like to hold the ball.

“It’s important you work hard and continue to evolve.’’

Originally published as Melbourne Storm’s Cameron Munster must battle Second Year Syndrome in a different position