Cameron Munster’s fullback experiment has catapulted Melbourne Storm back into NRL premiership calculations after it held out ladder leaders Penrith to win 16-0 at Bluebet Stadium.

Playing at the back for a second week, Munster again starred to help Storm make its case for an eighth straight season in the NRL’s top four.

It came as Penrith’s title defence took another hit, with Liam Martin suffering suspected ankle syndesmosis and Moses Leota hurting his calf to add to their lengthy injury list.

The Panthers are far from panicking, given they sit well clear at the top and were without Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Dylan Edwards and James Fisher-Harris on Thursday night.

Champion Cheese 🧀 #NRLPanthersStorm pic.twitter.com/dyMD4t35og

— NRL (@NRL) August 11, 2022

But Storm is a team clearly back in the groove after losing four straight games last month.

Missing Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes and Felise Kaufusi, Storm withstood more than 40 play-the-balls in its defensive 20-metre zone.

Time and time again it turned away the Panthers, becoming the first team to hold Penrith scoreless since June 2015.

The win moved Melbourne two points clear of fifth-placed Parramatta and well above the Eels on for-and-against, with the chasing pack one win further back.

So close for Xavier Coates! 😩 Is this the 'no try' of the year? 🤯

📺 #NRLPanthersStorm | LIVE on Channel 9 and 9Now.#9WWOS #NRL pic.twitter.com/jdgEBEJYui

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) August 11, 2022

Melbourne has to play Brisbane, Sydney Roosters and Eels on the run home, but now look as if it is ready to match it with any of the trio.

Regular playmaker Munster was again crucial, and must now surely be an option to finish the season as Storm’s No.1 after scoring a hat-trick there last week.

He was just as influential in defence as he was in attack, despite not playing at the back consistently since Storm’s run to the 2016 grand final.

With Penrith dominating the ball in the second half, he pulled off a crucial try saver on Brian To’o early on to keep Melbourne’s lead at 16-0.

From the next set he was able to swing the momentum in Storm’s favour, breaking down field to put them on the attack.

Justin Olam take a BOW! 🎩🪄

📺 #NRLPanthersStorm | LIVE on Channel 9 and 9Now.#9WWOS #NRL pic.twitter.com/WyZ91Sc0D7

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) August 11, 2022

The 27-year-old also had a role to play in Storm’s first try.

Given the freedom to roam at the back, Munster went shortside after a scoreless opening 18 minutes and helped put Justin Olam onto the attack before the centre kicked back for Nick Meaney to score.

Brandon Smith went over from the next set, busting through Martin and Leota from the halfway line to make it 12-0.

Late-season recruit David Nofoaluma got Melbourne’s third try after a nice Jesse Bromwich offload just before the break, before Storm held on through a scoreless second half.