Melbourne Storm star Cam Munster may have escaped sanction for an alleged hip drop tackle on Liam Martin, but he can probably expect to be removed from the Penrith forward’s Christmas card list.
The pair have a storied history, with the Maroons team labelling the Blues back-rower a ‘grub’ during the 2023 year’s Origin series.
Two years earlier in Origin I, Munster was fined for kicking Martin as he lay on the Townsville turf.
During the build-up to last year’s grand final Munster told reporters that the Kangaroos teammates ‘didn’t really like each other in Aussie camp’, which was news to Martin.
Munster’s mum Debbie even got involved, telling her son to make up with the Penrith ace.
The long-standing love-hate relationship has continued between Melbourne’s Cameron Munster and Liam Martin, with the Penrith enforcer coming out on top at AAMI Park.
Cam Munster has revealed the word that re-ignited the rivalry with Test teammate Liam Martin in the grand final re-match on Thursday night
Munster was not charged for an alleged hip drop tackle on Martin in the first half of the clash
The tackle left Martin requiring treatment on his ankle before carrying on with the rest of the match
While Munster’s Storm got the competition points from their NRL grand final rematch on Thursday night with a 30-24 victory, the star playmaker was involved in two incidents with the gun Panthers second-rower.
The Melbourne five-eighth was penalised and put on report in the 29th minute for an alleged hip-drop tackle as he tried to bring a rampaging Martin to ground, with the Penrith player left clutching at his ankle.
He was not charged by the NRL’s Match Review Committee.
Then with three minutes left on the clock and the Panthers hunting a try to take the game into golden point, Munster was penalised again, unnecessarily rough-housing his rival after he knocked on.
Speaking on Triple M the day after the match, he revealed the single word that had re-ignited the rivalry between the pair.
‘It’s a great competition between me and Marto, I have a lot of respect for him on the footy field and off the field.
‘We obviously have a bit of niggle here and there, but I was just trying to get the wood over him a couple of times.
‘He called me a liability at the back end of the first half, so I was just trying to get one back and repay the favour. Unfortunately it ended up paying his way.’
Munster and Martin come together late in the match, with Martin throwing the ball at his Storm rival
The incident caused both teams to come together for some push and shove at AAMI Park
The Storm No.6 said he was disappointed in his actions but didn’t believe it was worth a penalty.
‘I’m still a bit sceptical on the penalty, to be honest,’ Munster said.
‘I think there was nothing in it, I’ve seen him (Martin) do worse, I’ve seen players in the game do a lot worse but I’m pretty disappointed with it because it could have changed the game and made it a draw and then we could have gone the extra time.’
Munster also said there was no malice in the first-half tackle and blamed the slippery conditions.
The Storm No.6 said he was disappointed in his actions but didn’t believe it was worth a penalty.
‘I’m still a bit sceptical on the penalty, to be honest,’ Munster said.
‘I think there was nothing in it, I’ve seen him (Martin) do worse, I’ve seen players in the game do a lot worse but I’m pretty disappointed with it because it could have changed the game and made it a draw and then we could have gone the extra time.’
‘I tried to get my arm around his legs but it was a wet field out there and it was slippery.
Munster insisted it was all good fun.
‘It’s always fun with Marto – he’s a great quality back-rower, one of the best in the game and it’s always good to go up against him and see where you’re at,’ he said.
‘We like a little bit of niggle between each other.’
