'Don't think he'll be playing': Bellamy flags further absence for Cameron Munster

Yahoo

4 days ago

Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has hinted Cameron Munster won't be playing against the Roosters after the team's five-day turnaround as he prepares to attend his father's funeral in Queensland. Munster is still grieving the loss of his father Steven, who died just days before State of Origin Game 3.
Munster left State of Origin camp ahead of the decider to be with his family, but returned for the captain's run in a stoic move for his side. And the newly appointed Queensland captain was instrumental in leading his team to a historic Game 3 win. After missing his side's round 19 clash, Munster returned to the side to play the Manly Sea Eagles on Saturday in Melbourne.
Unfortunately for the Storm, Manly were too good winning after a divisive penalty against Harry Grant handed Reuben Garrick a penalty to win the game. Munster got through the game fine, but his availability for the round 20 clash this Thursday night has been thrown into doubt.
Melbourne have a five-day turnaround before their game against the Roosters, with both teams looking to get back to winning ways on Thursday. The Roosters dropped out of the eight after a tough loss to the Cronulla Sharks, while Melbourne dropped to third.
And Bellamy claimed Munster was unlikely to line-up for the Storm as he spends time with his family. The Daily Telegraph reported Munster would need to make a mad dash to attend the funeral if he played in Sydney against the Roosters. Steven's funeral is on Friday in Rockhampton, which would be the day after the Roosters game.
The publication claimed Munster would need to get the first plane out of Sydney on Friday morning if he played on Thursday night, before changing in Brisbane to make a flight to Rockhampton. And after being asked about whether Munster would make the five-day turnaround, Bellamy suggested it was very unlikely.
"I don't think he'll be playing...hasn't been spoken about that much, but I don't think he will be playing on Thursday," he said. This means Tyran Wishart will most likely fill in for Munster in what is looming as an important game for both teams. Melbourne will most likely be without Nelson Asofa-Solomona as well after he was hit with a two-game ban for an elbow. It remains to be seen if he will fight the charge.
Andrew Johns calls out NRL for kicker rule
Bellamy was left frustrated after the 18-16 loss having claimed his team didn't live up to the expectations on old boys day. And one of the major talking points was the penalty by Grant. With Luke Brooks attempting a field goal with time running out, Grant rushed out to put pressure on the playmaker.
Although he collided with the feet of Brooks with minimal contact. The NRL has made sure connection with the kickers legs have been penalties this year, and even though it was minimal, Manly sealed the game with a penalty right in front.
RELATED:
Latrell Mitchell moment says it all as Souths rocked by another injury
Broncos sign 'next Benji Marshall' from rival NRL club's backyard
However, the rule has not sat well with plenty of stars in the game. Johns feels the NRL has gone too far in protecting kickers and the game now favours playmakers. "It's gone way too far," Johns said on Channel Nine's Sunday Footy Show.
"Say you defend a really good set, and you get the opposition they play the ball on their 30. In years gone by if it was a slow play-the-ball the kicker would have to be back 10 to 15 metres, which means you would get the ball and bring it back to your 40.
"Nowadays if you get a bad attacking set and slow play-the-ball, the kicker stands on the advantage line and kicks it 60 metres because they know they can't get hit. They should be able to get out and tackle the kicker above the waist."