Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy believes Cameron Munster’s rehab stint is “the very best factor that ever occurred to him” and has opened up on simply how a lot his star five-eighth has matured within the final six months.
A trim Munster shone in Melbourne’s 24-10 win over Newcastle on Sunday, organising a try to a linebreak in addition to breaking 4 tackles whereas spending time at fullback.
The 27-year-old had a tumultuous low season that kicked off with the notorious white powder scandal that noticed him cop a one-game suspension and $30,000 tremendous from the NRL. The membership additionally handed out a suspended $100,000 tremendous, eliminated him from the management group and imposed a 12-month alcohol ban.
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Munster took issues into his personal fingers following the scandal and admitted himself to a four-week rehabilitation facility in Queensland simply six weeks out from when his companion was on account of give delivery to their first baby.
After starring for the Storm on Sunday, Bellamy informed Fox League that the stint in rehab has achieved wonders for Munster who has not solely been “super” throughout pre-season however has additionally matured tremendously.
“He’s been totally different in some methods undoubtedly,” Bellamy mentioned.
“He’s nonetheless bought that loveable larrikin (facet) about him and he’s nonetheless loads of enjoyable at coaching however what he went by final 12 months and going into rehab might be the very best factor that’s ever occurred to him.
“Him and his pretty spouse, Bianca have had a child as nicely so with all due respect I believe he’s grown up about 10 years within the final six months.
“I used to be simply actually impressed over the past two weeks with how he’s performed with such enthusiasm when he is aware of he’s not taking part in Spherical 1.
“He’s been super for the group the entire pre-season and I simply hope he can stick with it.”
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Munster himself admitted after the sport that he’s “so much fitter” because of shedding just a few kilos, whereas the Queensland and Australia consultant additionally revealed he’s in a “good head house” forward of season 2022.
“I misplaced 4 or 5 kilos,” he mentioned.
“I’m actually having fun with my footy, clearly being so much fitter permits me to be much more concerned within the recreation and get the ball much more. That’s one thing I should be engaged on — being across the ball extra and anticipating when breaks are being made.
“(I’m) so much fitter, actually having fun with my footy and am in a superb head house.”
It comes after Storm soccer supervisor Frank Ponissi informed SEN final week that Munster was within the “greatest form” he’d ever seen him in.
“If it’s a must to give a greatest participant for his or her software to the pre-season, he’s within the high three Cameron Munster,” Ponissi mentioned.
“He’s had an exceptional pre-season by way of his coaching ethic. He’s trying the very best form I’ve ever seen him in, in his eight years on the membership.”
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Fox League professional Cooper Cronk — who received a premiership alongside Munster in 2017 — additionally believes the gun playmaker is primed to have one in all his greatest years but.
“Cameron by his personal accord has simply turned a nook, you may simply see it in the best way he goes about his enterprise,” he mentioned on Sunday.
“He’s rather more energetic, he’s match, he seems happier — and that may solely be a scary factor for the remainder of the competitors however a superb factor for the Melbourne Storm.”
