Consider it a Craig Bellamy masterstroke.
Melbourne came home to Penrith as underdogs on Thursday night, but Bellamy played against Cameron Munster at fullback and Nelson Asofa-Solomona at fullback.
The result of the double-header upset was a 16-0 triumph.
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Craig Bellamy executed a masterstroke as the Storm toppled the Panthers in a one-sided clash on Thursday night. (NRL Images)
While Munster recorded 194 metres, made a lineout and continually asked questions of the Panthers defence, Asofa-Solomona racked up 130 metres, including 48 after contact, made 25 tackles and made lines detrimental to the Viliame Kikau and Penrith halves.
“It was special tonight,” Sonny Bill Williams said of the Asofa-Solomona game on Nine’s post-match show.
“Those counters after contact were going through the middle of the ruck. I think in that first 20 (minutes) it was special. He set that platform.
“Melbourne coming into this game needed a couple of their bigs to step up, and they certainly did, whether it was in the middle or outside tonight.
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“When we talk about Melbourne we talk about Munster, we talk about the cheese (Brandon Smith) but the boys like this one – these are the ones that will get them the (premiership) ring they want at the end of the year.”
Andrew Johns was also impressed by Asofa-Solomona’s performance.
“The coach’s decision to put him in Kikau was a master stroke,” he said.
Munster began his NRL career at fullback and returned to his native position last week, replacing Ryan Papenhuyzen (knee) and Nick Meaney (concussion).
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The playmaker from the home state of Queensland retained the full-back role for the Panthers clash despite the return of Meaney, who played at five-eighth.
“He creates something out of nothing all the time,” Asofa-Solomona said of Munster.
“When they throw the ball, he’s going backwards and you don’t have to turn to catch the ball. He’s already caught the ball and he’s caught it 20 yards.
“When you’ve got Munster in the team, you’ve got a good chance of winning the game, I think.”
Melbourne half-back Cooper Johns, while Jahrome Hughes is sidelined with a shoulder injury, described Munster at fullback as “dynamic”.
“It shows (on) both sides,” Johns said.
“But he’s also a world-class five-eighth.”
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