The Melbourne Storm have confirmed that Cameron Munster will be sidelined for at least a month after being forced to undergo surgery on a knee injury. The news comes as a monumental blow to the Storm’s hopes of making the NRL finals, despite their tense win over the Gold Coast on Sunday.
Munster was left out of Melbourne’s 22-18 win over the Titans after a gruelling State of Origin series with the Maroons. And it’s now emerged that the Maroons skipper will go under the knife to repair a cartilage injury in his knee, with the club confirming he’s expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks of footy.
The Melbourne Storm have confirmed that Maroons skipper Cameron Munster (L image, right side) will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a knee injury, off the back of a gruelling State of Origin series. Pic: Getty
“Melbourne Storm can confirm Cameron Munster will undergo surgery on his knee after sustaining a cartilage injury,” the Storm said in a statement on Tuesday. “Munster will begin his rehabilitation with Storm medical staff and is expected to be sidelined for at least 4-6 weeks.”
It’s a massive setback for Craig Bellamy’s side ahead of another must-win game against the high-flying Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Friday night. And depending on the speed of Munster’s recovery, it could leave the superstar five-eighth with as few as two games left of the regular season when he does return.
Melbourne are still a chance of playing finals footy with six rounds and a bye left in the regular season. But they’re currently four points outside the top-eight in 10th spot and can ill afford to lose many more games before their finals hopes are mathematically over.
Cameron Munster injury rocks Storm’s NRL finals hopes
Munster’s absence will make the task even more difficult for Bellamy’s side, who have a tough run of fixtures against fellow top-eight hopefuls over the next month. Their Round 20 clash away to the Roosters is followed by tricky assignments against Souths (away), Canterbury (home) and Manly (home), before they have the bye in Round 24.
Melbourne Storm playmaker Cameron Munster will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks after being forced to undergo surgery on a knee injury. Pic: Getty
It doesn’t get much easier for the Storm after the bye, with a home clash against ladder-leaders Penrith in Round 25. Munster could be a chance for the Panthers clash if he returns within the six-week window, but the Storm’s season could be over by then unless they find a way to win without their influential playmaker.
Melbourne face tricky away games against defending premiers Brisbane and Cronulla to finish the regular season. Munster’s absence is expected to see the versatile Tyran Wishart slot into five-eighth, in what will be his final season with Melbourne before moving to the Perth Bears.
The Munster news continues a wretched campaign for the Storm, who have been ravaged by injuries in 2027. Eli Katoa (brain surgery) has missed the entire season, while Tui Kamikamica (stroke) and Xavier Coates (Achilles) also suffered season-ending blows. Ativalu Lisati (ankle) is another big-name in the Storm casualty ward.
with AAP