Replacing the Irreplaceable – Cameron Munster

Cameron Munster has made life increasingly difficult for Melbourne Storm officials. He had the task of replacing the irreplaceable and has succeeded.

With smart positioning, relentless defence and quick movement, Munster has put serious pressure on Slater to keep the fullback jersey.

Having impressed in the Intrust Super Cup for the Easts Tigers this year, Munster was thrown into the fullback position when Slater was injured for a month in April. The 20-year-old impressed in glimpses but when Slater announced he would miss the rest of the season, Munster excelled.

With six tries so far this season including a hat trick against the Titans, the Melbourne Storm hierarchy have had to think long and hard about their plans for next season. With the ageing Slater out of contract at the end of the season and coming back from surgery on his troublesome shoulder and Munster on the rise at only twenty, there are some big decisions to be made before the start of next season.

To accommodate both Slater and Munster, Craig Bellamy could play Munster at centre, the same position he played in the Intrust Super Cup and have Slater at fullback.

Whatever Melbourne decide to do next season, it is integral that Munster continues to play. With the “Big Three” all the wrong side of thirty, Munster has shown he is more than capable of replacing Slater when that time comes.