Harry Grant has sent an ominous warning to Melbourne's title rivals, predicting Jahrome Hughes' game can go to even greater levels with Cameron Munster back.
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Munster got back through his first game in two months unscathed on Friday night, playing 52 minutes off the bench in the Storm's 32-14 win over Parramatta.
The win momentarily moved the Storm six points clear of Penrith at the top of the table, as they firm up their bid for their first minor premiership since 2021.
Penrith and Melbourne appear destined to shoot it out for this year's title, with the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla among other threats.
Penrith have barely had Nathan Cleary available to them this year, while Friday's win marked only the sixth time Melbourne have had their first-choice spine this season.
Hughes in particular has starred at halfback for the Storm despite the disruption, and should finish the season as one of the Dally M favourites if he stays fit.
But as far as Grant is concerned, it is Munster's return from a serious groin injury that can further unlock the Kiwi half.
"Hughesy controls the game for us. You just want Munster to be going out there and playing footy," Grant said.
"But I think Munster with his experience, he gets a lot of shape on as well. Creates a lot.
"So that is probably going to free up Jahrome also.
"We all appreciate what (Jahrome) does week in, week out in our team. He has so many threats in his game."
Melbourne's relief at having the league's most dangerous spine back together is intensified when considering Grant, Munster, Hughes and fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen only played two games together last year as well.
"There is still a lot of improvement in our roles within our spine," Grant said.
"We have done a fair bit of work in that over the past couple of years.
"We've been unfortunate with Paps not playing too much footy last year and Munster this year.
"We've probably got to refine that and do a bit more work with it."
Munster's return will also leave coach Craig Bellamy with a headache on what to do with Tyran Wishart.
The 24-year-old has impressed while filling in at No.6 for the past two months.
He spent time at lock and hooker once Munster came on the field on Friday night, and offers crucial utility value in Melbourne's team.
If he was to revert to the bench, it would leave Bellamy needing to decide if he can carry both Wishart and flyer Sua Fa'alogo on the same interchange.
"Hopefully we have got that problem at the end of the year of who to leave out, not who to put in," Bellamy said.
Australian Associated Press
