'Calmer' Munster relishing extra leadership role at Storm

Cameron Munster says taking on extra leadership responsibility at the Storm has made him feel calmer as a person after making a stunning return from injury against the Titans.

Munster returned from a grade two medial tear to orchestrate a 42-6 win over the Gold Coast and after the game his coach Craig Bellamy hailed his development as a leader and more mature footballer.

Munster, one of rugby league's loveable rogues, told NRL.com that his own personal growth had come on the back of taking on more of a leadership role at the club.

"You'd think it would be more responsibility, but funnily enough I am calmer as a result," Munster said.

"I guess having seven years at the club I am like the middle man between the older and younger blokes.

"With some of the young guys coming through like Cooper [Johns], Tino [Fa'asuamaleaui] and Nicho Hynes I am just trying to guide them on the right path.

"I know the older boys tried to do that for me but sometimes you can lead horses to water but can't make them drink.

"All I can do is try and give the young guys the right guidelines. I made mistakes but hopefully they don't do the same."

Bellamy said 2020 was a year that Munster had already taken a great stride forward in.

"I don't want to give him a rap too early but he has been great this year with his leadership," Bellamy said.

"It probably wasn't one of his strong points the last couple of years. We thought he might have matured a bit earlier but he has basically matured this year.

"He manages his weight well which was always a problem as well. He is one hell of a footy player and we are glad he is playing for us."

Munster is known for the multiple tricks he has in his kit bag but is always looking to add a few extra plays to his repertoire.

From a scrum, Munster set up a cracking try for Josh Addo-Carr with sleight of hand to deceive the Titans' up-and-in defence. He double-pumped and then as he hit the line lobbed a floating cut-out pass right on the flying winger's chest.

"You can't keep doing the same things every week because teams watch a lot of video and know what you are going to do so I am just trying to get a bit more variation into my game and be even more unpredictable than I already am," Munster said.

"I guess when you are unpredictable, it makes you even more dangerous.

"I am really enjoying my footy at the moment and the way we are playing. It feels like I have a new lease on life. Off the field is good and that is showing on the field.

"I feel like there is no-one weighing me down and that I can go out there and do my own thing and play the way I want to play. It seems to be working for me and the team."

Munster played against the Titans like a man itching to get back on the field after missing games against last year's grand finalists.

"I was pretty disappointed the last couple of weeks. I really wanted to see where I was at as a player against the Raiders and Roosters but injury didn't allow me to do that," Munster said.

"I was 50/50 to play the Raiders but I got a bit of a flu during the week so obviously with the [COVID-19] protocols I had to get tested and have a couple of days away from the team.

"By the time the game came around I didn't have enough kilometres in my legs but I made sure I was right for this week.

"No-one missed a beat while I was away. It was pretty much like the team didn't need me so I was fortunate to come back into the side and for us to play well."