Captain Cam II: Munster aims to be Storm skipper
- Author
- Timestamp
Cameron Munster has set his sights on captaining the Storm when Cameron Smith retires, once he makes a few "tweaks" off the field.
The 26-year-old five-eighth will begin his sixth finals campaign in top form when the Storm tackle the Eels in a qualifying final at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, and with a more mature mindset after being elevated to the team's leadership group at the start of the season.
Smith can't captain the Storm forever and Munster wants to be ready to take charge when the 37-year-old pulls the pin on his stellar career.
“Having the 'c' next to your name is a great feat, there is no doubt about it, but there are some qualities, or things, that I still need to tweak off the field," Munster said.
- To thank fans for their support during the season, tickets for the Storm-Eels final start from as little as $20. Fans can secure their seats here
"I am heading in the right direction and it shows the club and the coach believe in me, by having me in the leadership group, so that is a baby step there.
"Everyone needs to work on things and fingers crossed in the next couple of years I do have the 'c' next to my name.
NRL Classic: Storm v Eels - Preliminary Final, 1999
"Once Smithy goes then I get to hopefully run the team, fingers crossed. If not, then that is fine.
"I am just really excited to hopefully send Smithy out, if he decides not to play anymore, a winner. That is our goal."
Munster has matured in the last 12 months after learning from some indiscretions, which went hand in glove with over-consumption of alcohol.
He was honest and reflective when asked where the main growth had been in his life.
Match: Storm v Eels
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Storm
2nd Position
away Team
Eels
4th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
"Time and place – to know when to have a good time and know when not to have a good time," he said.
"I am being a bit of a leader for the young blokes and talk to them about going down the right path. I went down a couple of wrong paths, just with alcohol.
"That is something I have been really talking to the boys about, making sure that when we do have a drink that we have a good time.
"When we are not allowed to have a drink, then it is about making sure everyone is accountable and not having a beer."
Munster has concentrated on speaking up at training if he sees something that needs addressing.
"That is something I have really focused on the last eight months but I probably can be just a bit more consistent on the training paddock with my passes and execution," he said.
Finals Week 1: Brown returns for the Eels
"With Smithy, what you see on the training paddock is what you see in games.
"You never can rest on your merits and think you have done enough in the game and think you are a good player.
Match Highlights: Eels v Storm
"I don’t know if he [Smith] can break any more records but he is always trying to improve and get better.
"If your captain is doing that, then it makes you want to improve too."
Munster said the heartbreak suffered at the hands of the Roosters in the past two finals series will ensure the Storm will make the most of this year’s tilt at the title.
