By Roy Ward
Melbourne Storm playmaker Cameron Munster has won the first Cameron Smith player of the year award almost a year after his career was threatened by the “white powder” scandal.
The 28-year-old won the newly named Storm award on Tuesday night at the club’s annual presentation night, polling 33 votes to finish six votes ahead of hooker Harry Grant to claim his second player of the year award following a win in 2018.
Utility back Nick Meaney and full-back Ryan Papenhuyzen finished equal third with 13 votes each, with Papenhuyzen’s votes coming in just 12 games due to injuries.
Cameron Munster’s superb individual season wasn’t affected by contract speculation.Credit:Getty Images
Last September Munster’s career looked in trouble when he and teammates Brandon Smith appeared in undated party videos with what appeared to be a white substance on a table.
The scandal led to them being referred to the NRL’s integrity unit, with Munster later checking into a rehab facility citing alcohol and gambling issues.
At the time, Cameron Smith accused the pair of making “dumb” choices and “bringing down” the public image of the Storm that had been carefully built over time.
Munster emerged a sharper, fitter and more focused player and starred through the campaign for both the Storm and Queensland, despite his playing future remaining in the spotlight all season with incoming Queensland expansion side The Dolphins chasing him for the 2024 season.
Munster led the Storm in line breaks (17) and tackle breaks (117), was second for try assists (16) and scored 11 tries of his own while, late in the season, he moved to full-back where he was even more dangerous in attack, roaming to both sides of the field.
Munster led the count by eight votes at the halfway mark and polled 10 votes in the final few rounds, including man-of-the-match performances against Gold Coast Titans and Penrith Panthers.
Cameron Munster.Credit:Getty Images
Grant was named forward of the year, while Papenhuyzen and Meaney shared the back of the year award.
Papenhuyzen also won the club’s try of the year award for his leaping effortfrom a surprise Nelson Asofa-Solomona high kick in round seven.
Tyran Wishart won the Billy Slater rookie of the year award for his excellent first campaign with the Storm, while Marion Seve won most improved player after playing a career-high 15 games despite starting the season off the club’s main roster.
Munster also won the members’ player of the year, while Victorian product Sua Fa’alogo won the Cooper Cronk feeder team player of the year and Cole Geyer, son of Storm great Matt Geyer, won the under-21s Darren Bell medal.
Jared Nauma won the Greg Brentnall young achiever’s award.
Daniel Di Pasqua won the Michael Moore award as club person of the year and Aaron Rizzatti won the chairman’s award.
The Storm also farewelled captain Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi (The Dolphins) and Brandon Smith (Sydney Roosters), who are moving to new clubs, while Cooper Johns is off contract and is not expected to be re-signed for next season.
Melbourne Storm awards 2022
Cameron Smith player of the year award: Cameron Munster
Members’ player of the year: Cameron Munster
Billy Slater rookie of the year: Tyran Wishart
Most improved player: Marion Seve
Best forward of the year: Harry Grant
Best back of the year: Nick Meaney and Ryan Papenhuyzen (tie)
Try of the year: Ryan Papenhuyzen (Round 7)
Cooper Cronk feeder player of the year award: Sua Fa’alogo
Greg Brentnall young achievers award: Jared Nauma
Under-21s Darren Bell medal: Cole Geyer
Michael Moore award clubperson of the year: Daniel Di Pasqua
Chairman’s award: Aaron Rizzatti
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