3 minute read
Arriving at the Melbourne Storm this season, Nick Meaney says it's been an adjustment learning to play alongside freakishly-talented teammate Cameron Munster.
Nick Meaney says it's not just opposition NRL players who Cameron Munster bamboozles, with his freakish talent also keeping Melbourne teammates on their toes.
A self-imposed booze ban has seen new-dad Munster fit and firing this season, with the 27-year-old relishing a return to fullback for the past two Storm games.
With Meaney starting at five-eighth and Munster at the back, the pair combined to steer Melbourne to a statement win over defending champions Penrith last round.
Meaney scored their opening try while Munster kept the Penrith defence guessing all night.
Meaney joined the Storm from the Bulldogs this year and said he's found Munster's eyes-up style of football requires teammates to be on high alert.
"It's definitely been something to get used to," Meaney told AAP. "Sometimes he doesn't know what he's going to do next so it's all about staying ready on your toes, waiting for him to do something freakish and hopefully be there to support him.
"I don't think I've ever sort of seen anyone or played with anyone like Cameron.
"It's pretty crazy, no matter where you put him he's going to do really well.
"He's switched on this year and got he's got his head in the right spot, and his body as well, with no injuries, so hopefully he keeps doing it for us."
Winning 16-0, the Storm became the first team in seven years to keep the Panthers scoreless with Meaney saying they were intent on getting one over the competition leaders before the play-offs.
The shut-out performance signalled Melbourne, who last month had four losses in a row, will again be among the contenders.
"There's obviously a bit of a rivalry between Storm and Penrith now with all the finals matches and big games against each other so that plays a part of it," said Meaney, who has never played finals before.
"And just the importance of it - we went on a bit of a losing streak and then we won one game against the Warriors and then the Titans so we want to keep that momentum going.
"It was just a mindset to get one over these guys that we have the rivalry with."
Currently fourth, Melbourne face the sixth-placed Broncos in Brisbane on Friday night in another tough contest.
Meaney said they were hopeful of having star halfback Jahrome Hughes available after a shoulder injury ruled him out of the Panthers match.
He said Hughes was able to train with the group on Monday.
