Cameron Munster's ability to lead on the field has never been questioned but Melbourne are eyeing the star playmaker as a future club leader after his turnaround this year.
Ahead of the NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday, Munster has emerged as the rock of the Storm's backline.
While players around him including his rotating halves partners have been dropped, injured or suspended, Munster has delivered - which many in the Melbourne camp see as a sign of his growing maturity.
Former Collingwood AFL premiership captain Nick Maxwell, who is the Storm's leadership and development coach, said the 24-year-old had got his life together off the field.
Munster was on the outer before the start of the NRL season, publicly put on notice by both Storm coach Craig Bellamy and captain Cameron Smith that he needed to sort out his off-field issues.
That followed a drunken World Cup incident late last year that resulted in him being hauled back to Melbourne and cut from the emerging leadership group.
"We know on-field he's a genius and an amazing player but he's really sorted himself out off-field," Maxwell told AAP.
"He was in our emerging leaders group last year and found if difficult because he hadn't got everything lined up himself but it's been great to see his growth."
As well as seeing a psychologist Munster has busied himself off the field running a schools' league program and in property investment, which has given him more purpose and less free time.
With the departure of Cooper Cronk to the Roosters, the imminent retirement of Billy Slater and Tim Glasby's exit to Newcastle as well as Smith winding down his career, the timing couldn't be better.
Melbourne are hopeful of getting Munster's signature on a new contract as soon as the NRL grand final is over, tying him to the club long-term.
"He's got some really good people around him who have been really supportive," Maxwell said.
"He's been sensational for us this year and he's got a great capacity to lead and I think we're going to see that in him in coming years at the Storm."
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