Self-confessed ratbag Cameron Munster’s NRL grand final disappointment has been eased by winning Melbourne Storm’s player of the year for the first time.

The 24-year-old snapped the eight-year domination of the award by skipper Cameron Smith and leading prop Jesse Bromwich.

Munster edged out teammate Dale Finucane by five votes while Smith was third.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy hinted at Munster’s misdemeanours when presenting the award, after the five-eighth was hauled out of the Kangaroos World Cup camp for drunken antics.

Bellamy said he would have laughed if anyone had suggested 12 months ago that Munster would have won the award.

Munster thanked the Storm psychologist Jacqui Louder for helping him get back on track.

“I was a bit of a ratbag last year and she’s helped me turn my life around the last six or seven months,” Munster said.

Switching from his preferred fullback role Munster has thrived in the role of Melbourne’s chief playmaker in 2018, producing a career high 15 try assists.

He was this week named in the Kangaroos for their upcoming Tests against NZ and Tonga.

In other awards on the night, Finucane was named best forward while Billy Slater was crowned best back in his final season.

The rookie of the year award, named in Slater’s honour, was awarded to Brandon Smith while emerging prop Christian Welch was named most improved player.