Cameron Munster has been able to find the positives in another season-ending Billy Slater injury, not for the first time in his short career.
For a young man with his whole football career ahead of him, Munster has made a name for himself with his limited opportunities so far in the NRL.
Being the understudy for one of the best fullbacks of the modern era, Munster would usually have to wait several seasons to get 33 games under his belt. But an unlucky run of injuries for representative and two-time Dally M fullback of the year award winner Slater has given the Storm a chance to show that they’re more than just ‘The Big Three’.
Munster started the 2016 season in the centres, before Slater went down once again. The 21-year-old fullback now currently sits fourth in the NRL for tackle busts, on 68, just behind the dynamic Canberra right side pairing of Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana, and Wests Tigers superstar fullback James Tedesco. He is third for line-breaks, 12, behind Rapana again and the NRL’s leading try scorer, Cronulla’s Valentine Holmes. His four tries and six try assists are also tidy.
His recent performance against the Sydney Roosters wrote him into the record books, scoring the highest amount of SuperCoach points in one game, a staggering 183, overthrowing previous title holder James Maloney’s 181.
Munster could be a starting fullback at nearly any other club in the competition.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The Bunnies have experimented with their backline this season. Greg Inglis has been shifted from fullback to five-eighth, Cody Walker has gone from five-eighth to wing to fullback, Dane Nielson has made a comeback to the big stage, Aaron Gray has been in and out with injuries, and centre Bryson Goodwin has found himself in the second row.
Munster could add some much-needed stability to the Rabbits. With him at fullback, Johnston and Gray on the wings, and Goodwin and Inglis in the centres, the Bunnies would look much stronger.
Newcastle Knights
The Knights have had a season to forget in 2016, with a host of young players being blooded, and question marks remaining over guys like Cory Denniss and Nathan Ross.
Munster’s addition to the side would push Dane Gagai back to his preferred role of centre and allow Sione Mata’utia to go back to the wing, where he became the youngest ever Kangaroo.
Munster is solid in attack and defence, which would help Newcastle out tremendously.
Parramatta Eels
With recent recruit Michael Gordon seemingly headed to the Sydney Roosters in 2017, the Eels need a fullback. Munster would add so much to their side, and might give them that little bit of extra flair to get them their first premiership since 1986.
With an already star-studded backline containing the likes of Kieran Foran, Corey Norman, Michael Jennings and Semi Radradra, the Eels could use the presence of someone like Cameron Munster at the back.
Unfortunately for the 15 other clubs in the NRL, Cameron Munster is set to remain in Melbourne until at least 2020, when coach Craig Bellamy can hopefully find a way to squeeze Smith, Cronk, Slater and Munster into his spine.
Where do you think Melbourne should play Munster next season? Is he a chance of taking Slater’s fullback spot for good? Which NRL club would he best slot into as of today?
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