The Mole: Cameron Munster Set to Compete with Reed Mahoney for Unwelcome Title Following ‘Solo Battle’

Could Cam Munster be on the verge of inheriting Reed Mahoney’s title as the Dally M Serial Pest of the Year for 2026?

Mahoney cruised to victory in the award last season, consistently getting under the skin of his opponents week in and week out.

This season, however, Munster has made a spectacular start, launching a solo campaign against the Panthers—particularly targeting their intense back-rower, Liam Martin—during Thursday night’s intense clash in Melbourne.

Munsster was put on report for a controversial hip drop that infuriated Martin, marking just one of the numerous confrontations between the two.

The tussle continued throughout the match, and referee Adam Gee finally lost his cool in the dying moments, penalising Munster for what he deemed ‘lack of discipline.’

This could have been costly for the Storm, but they managed to secure a 30-24 victory.

After the game, Munster confessed that his goal was to unsettle Martin.

“We had our share of niggle, but I was just trying to get the better of him a few times… It’s all in the spirit of the game,” he said.

Despite the niggle, Munster shone on the field with three try assists and was seen by many as the match’s standout player.

BRONCOS STAR ‘A DISHEARTENED YOUNG MAN’

Reece Walsh is undoubtedly one of the league’s most gifted players, yet he appears to be struggling for confidence at the beginning of the 2025 season.

After making four mistakes in last week’s defeat to the Raiders, he put in a woeful performance in the 26-16 win over the Cowboys.

It seems Walsh is pressing too hard to generate impact, as he racked up five errors, conceded two penalties, ended up on report, and even kicked the ball out on the full.

To his credit, he did manage a notable 40/20 kick and a try assist, but the negatives far outweighed the positives, and his body language conveyed the frustration of a young man under pressure.

While his team won, it was an alarming display, and someone needs to help him regain his confidence and get him back to playing the fluent, assured football we all know he can deliver.

Catch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

FULLBACK’S TIMING OFF

Pity Sharks fullback Will Kennedy.

In a different era, he might have been in contention for representative selection.

Fast, agile, tough, and solid defensively, he possesses all the qualities of a star number one.

However, in today’s game, with talents like Kalyn Ponga, James Tedesco, Reece Walsh, Jahream Bula, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Dylan Edwards, Ryan Papenhuyzen, and many more, Kennedy finds himself low down the ranking of fullbacks. Rumour has it that the Sharks are even in search of a marquee fullback to drive them towards a premiership.

Kennedy put in an outstanding performance in the 27-12 victory over Souths on Saturday, contributing to a couple of spectacular length-of-the-field tries—will it be enough to satisfy his superiors?

UNEXPECTED VICTORY TO LEAVE CIRALDO BEAMING

The Bulldogs have made their best start to a season in over a decade—though it was anything but pretty, as they managed to outlast a gritty Eels side 16-8 on Sunday.

This marks Canterbury’s first time opening a season with three consecutive wins since 2014, achieved despite missing key players Matt Burton and Viliame Kikau.

While the Bulldogs faced struggles at several points during the match, it’s this gritty performance that might please coach Cameron Ciraldo more than their previous two victories.

The Eels came out desperate for a win and truly tested the Canterbury defence, applying relentless pressure, but the Bulldogs held their ground for a crucial win.

BENJI’S REPLICAS OF STORM SUCCESS

In the early 2020s, one of the keys to the Storm’s dominance was the dynamic combination of hookers Brandon Smith and Harry Grant.

Before his transfer to the Roosters, Smith was one of the league’s top dummy halvers, troubling teams with his strength and running capabilities.

When the opposition began to tire, master tactician Craig Bellamy would summon Grant to exploit them with his agility around the rucks.

Benji Marshall appears to remember this effective strategy—utilising his two hookers, Api Koroisau and rookie Tallyn Da Silva, in a similar manner.

Both were exceptional in the victory over the Dolphins on Saturday night, each scoring tries and causing mayhem for the Redcliffe defence.

Notably, both players notched the final tries of the first and second halves against fatigued opponents—coaches of rival teams, take note!