Smith storms to 400

MELBOURNE Storm skipper Cameron Smith will be presented with a custom-designed crystal football as the first player to reach 400 NRL games when he runs out onto AAMI Park on Saturday night.

If he was able to gaze into that ball 18 seasons ago, neither he, nor anyone else, would have likely foreseen such a monumental career.

And despite turning 36 last month, Smith is contemplating shelving retirement and playing on past his current contract, which expires at the end of 2020. He said Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy’s thoughts were that if he was still performing and enjoying the game, he should play as long as he could. And he agrees.

“At this stage I feel great physically and I feel fresh,” Smith said yesterday. “I don’t have any thoughts of finishing up at this stage.”

He admitted it helped that the Storm, ahead of their round 17 clash with Cronulla, were on top of the NRL ladder by six points.

“Everyone knows when you are winning and there is a good feeling, everyone is happy.

“If we weren’t winning, I might have a different outlook on my future but at this stage I don’t think I will be finishing up,” he said.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg sat by Smith’s side as he addressed the media and described the 400-game feat as an “iconic moment in the game”. “It’s considered quite remarkable to get to 300 games so Cameron’s feat is astonishing, highlighting not only his ability but his durability,” Greenberg said.

“To play 400 games, all at one club — this is what I would call rarefied air for our game.”

Smith said the brutality of Bellamy’s training sessions when he took over as Storm coach in 2003 had helped him develop the mental toughness to see out 400 games. The physicality of that training, plus a dash of luck, meant he’s only missed a gobsmacking 11 games through injury.