SMITH SHOULD STAY: JT
JOHNATHAN Thurston has urged Cameron Smith to shun retirement and soldier on to become the first man in rugby league history to play 400 games.
There are fears Smith could drop another bombshell and retire at season’s end, with Melbourne hierarchy yesterday insisting they will not pressure their champion skipper to play on in 2019.
Smith surprised many in May when he announced his immediate retirement from representative football on the eve of the 2018 Origin series.
Smith, usually the NRL’s Mr Unbreakable, has shown signs of wear and tear, with the 35-year-old last week suffering a back injury which he will carry into Saturday’s clash against the Titans.
Thurston believes the Storm, Queensland and Australia captain’s blessed run with injuries can see the classy hooker extend his career for another 12 months.
“He has had a couple of niggles throughout this year … but when he is on the field, Cam is tearing teams apart,” said Thurston
Melbourne football-operations chief Frank Ponissi said the 379-game veteran might delay his decision until the finals are over.
“We all hope that he goes around again in 2019, not just because he will become the first player to play 400 NRL games but also because of his importance at our club.
“However, ultimately we have to respect his decision ….” FINALS-INTENSITY matches will come a week early this year as five clubs vie for the remaining three spots in the top 5, and also as they settle their final positions.
Brothers and Atherton are assured their places, however, this weekend will produce make-or-break matches as Tully travel to arch rival Innisfail, Kangaroos head to Mossman, and to a lesser extent when Suburbs host Yarrabah.
If you like your rugby league with more than a hint of desperation, then get yourself to any of these matches.
Brothers have the bye this week, and having earned the first week of finals off by virtue of the minor premiership, will no doubt be given a touch-up by their coaching staff.
■ A huge congratulations must go to the Mossman club who are about to embark on their first tilt at finals football in nearly two decades. Recent years teased as the club would fly out of the blocks only to become grounded mid-season and languish outside the top 5, but this year, they have improved with each outing.
■ Junior semi-finals kicked off last weekend and the quality on display shows that the game is in good hands.
More impressive than the talent displayed though was the attitude from players toward each other and to the match officials.
The match officials also handled themselves professionally and should be praised for their efforts also.
This weekend will see the Eacham Juniors also into their semi-finals with Malanda hosting Saturday’s matches.