Melbourne Storm cruised to a dominant 32-14 win against the Titans after a great performance from Cameron Munster.
The Maroons star was switched from full-back in a late change from Craig Bellamy, which proved to be a masterstroke after the playmaker scored his second career hat-trick.
Harry Grant’s vision opened the scoring for Melbourne, finding winger Xavier Coates in space to score untouched.
MATCH CENTRE: Melbourne Storm vs Gold Coast Titans, live scores, teams
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Moments later, Munster scored their first, flying high to curl in a Jahrome Hughes kick as the Storm piled on the points.
“That’s ominous,” Dan Ginnane said as Melbourne built a 10-point lead.
But Holbrook’s men were able to hit back with two quickfire tries to Beau Fermor and Herman Ese’ese.
“What is happening?” Dan Ginnane said.
“It hasn’t been great, but it’s been strong and powerful for the Titans,” Shane Flanagan said.
But just before the break, Munster crossed again, dancing past Gold Coast’s left-back defence.
After the break, AJ Brimson curled a spot-kick for Brian Kelly to cross, but their joy would end there, with Munster scoring their third to assert dominance.
“He makes it look effortless, the second hat-trick of his career and timely,” Dan Ginnane said.
Youngster Tonumaipea also scored a late try at the back of a scrum after a 1,483-day hiatus from the NRL.
Jahrome Hughes also remained sidelined after the break after suffering a shoulder injury.
Read below for the three biggest takeaways from Friday night’s clash!
MUNSTER MAGIC
Storm manager Craig Bellamy made a big late change, moving star player Cameron Munster to fullback, and it proved a masterstroke.
The 27-year-old started his first-grade career as a full-back but last played in the No.1 shirt in 2018.
Fox League’s Shane Flanagan explained that Munster would relish the “challenge” of switching positions early in the contest.
“He played a lot of defense when he was young, the last time he played there was in 2018,” Flanagan said.
“I think he will like the challenge of full-back, I don’t think he wants to play there all the time, but even if it is for the rest of the season he will enjoy this opportunity.
“He’ll touch the football on both sides of the field and he won’t be shut down … he’s a class act and he’s enjoying his football.”
Munster not only relished the challenge, but also excelled, scoring his second career hat-trick to defeat Justin Holbrook’s Titans.
The 27-year-old finished with three tries, 158 yards, eight tackle breaks, two line-outs and a line-out assist.
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JOHNS PLACES HIS CLAIM
Having made just eight NRL appearances in his three-year career, Cooper Johns was slotted into the five-eighth role following Munster’s late switch.
The 23-year-old put in an impressive performance and could be found in the middle for the rest of the year.
Regular half-back Jahrome Hughes was sidelined at half-time after picking up a shoulder injury, the extent of the knock not being known.
Johns could fill the No.7 role to match Cameron Munster, who is likely to take over the five-eighth jersey next week.
“Cooper Johns, he’s been fantastic feeding the football to his main man,” Shane Flanagan said.
Johns finished the night with three try assists and four line-breaking assists as well as three tackle breaks.
Interestingly, in his eight games, the previous Johns had registered just two try assists, but has now shown his playmaking prowess.
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BRIMSON BRILLIANCE
Titans star AJ Brimson has had a turbulent year, moving from fullback to the halves in pre-season, before moving back to No.1 and then the halves again.
“It’s been an interesting year for AJ Brimson, he’s started in the halves, that’s all to accommodate Jayden Campbell, but with Campbell out a bit of a fullback for Brimson,” he added.
“But now in the role of stockings.”
While many players would struggle to find their rhythm, Brimson looked consistently dangerous against the Storm.
The 23-year-old registered two try assists, a line break, a line break and three tackle breaks in a strong display, although his side lost.
Shane Flanagan of the Fox League called Brimson’s try assist for center Brian Kelly “beautiful”.
“The Titans are exceptional in this type of game,” Flanagan said.
“AJ Brimson gets the ball and he knows he’s got two players yelling at the ball, it’s beautiful, good moments.”
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