It's taken eight rounds but Cameron Munster's first start at five-eighth was worth the wait with the Melbourne Storm youngster a key figure in the win over the Warriors on Anzac Day.
The Storm's plans for Munster to be the club's long-term No.6 were put on hold while he covered for the injured Billy Slater at fullback in the opening rounds of the season before fracturing his jaw in mid-March.
The 22-year-old finally ran out as the Melbourne playmaker and looked right at home in the absorbing AAMI Park match, which the Storm won 20-14.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy was delighted with Munster's input.
"I thought he was tremendous," Bellamy said
"I think everyone sees his best position is fullback and maybe it is but he's going to make one hell of a five-eighth if he gets to spend some time there and learns more of the specifics about the position."
While he was busy in attack, he also made 21 tackles, at times racing out of the line to pull off some important saves.
Skipper Cameron Smith said Munster had worked hard on his tackle technique after the jaw injury.
"That was a technical error that tackle when he got injured so he's been working really hard with our coaches on his defence," Smith said.
"There's no doubt he's a tough kid and he's very brave the way he plays.
"The thing that's going to make him a great player is his ability to read the play ahead of everyone else, he knows what's coming one play ahead of everyone else."
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