No team has ever won the NRL premiership after conceding 50 points in a game, but Cameron Munster believes the Storm have what it takes to rewrite history.
A 40-point thrashing at the hands of the Panthers in round five exposed glaring flaws for Melbourne, with the team recording their third consecutive defeat early in the year.
The unbeaten Panthers are the first team since 2003 to rack up a half-century against the Storm, prompting Craig Bellamy to warn his players personnel changes could come.
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No major changes were made to the team list named by Bellamy on Tuesday ahead of the club’s clash against the Warriors, with outside backs Moses Leo and Jack Howarth both named to return from injuries after missing last week’s clash.
Speaking to media on Tuesday, five-eighth Munster conceded the “doom and gloom” of the unwanted 50-point statistic will be looming large from outside the four walls, but only those inside the club can dig Melbourne out of this hole.
Cameron Munster speaks to media on Tuesday. Nine
“We’ve probably been below par the past three weeks,” he said.
“Individually we have to look in the mirror, but to the Panthers’ credit, they probably played the perfect game and put a lot of pressure on us.
“They showed us where we need to be and what bar we need to set. It was a good learning experience for us … but it’s only round five.
“There’s all doom and gloom and I know there’s a lot of history and stats around that if you have 50 points put on you then you can’t (win the comp).
“It’s up to us as a group to change that.”
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Munster also admitted the attitude within the playing group needed to shift.
“I don’t think (the issue) is too much of a personnel thing,” he said.
“I think it’s more about attitude. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to be able to tackle. You can attack as much as you want, but the defensive side is what wins grand finals.”
While online commentary can be avoided, Bellamy’s reaction to the drubbing can not.
“He was a probably angrier than you think,” Munster said.
“Not so much with the Penrith game, but the other games over the past few weeks.
Cameron Munster reacts after losing to the Panthers. NRL Imagery
“Broncos and Cowboys, he was probably more disappointed (because) we were up in both of those games – but it’s kind of been a blessing.
“It is three losses you don’t want to have, but it just showed where we were at.”
Sitting 11th on the ladder, the Storm will now take on the fifth-placed Warriors, who are fresh off a disappointing loss to Cronulla and will be without Luke Metcalf due to injury.
Munster admitted his side need to rise to the occasion against their long-time rivals.
“They’re a good quality team,” he added.
“They were more aggressive with the ball, attacking-wise, and more aggressive in defence – they were hitting together and we were hitting one-on-one individually .
“We’ve got a tough couple of weeks with them and the Raiders, but what a great opportunity to go up against teams that were at the top last year to see where we’re at.
“We’ve got to be better, and I’ll make sure I do everything I can this week to get us up.”