Record tells the story

STATE of Origin will never be the same.

No Cameron Smith almost means no one for NSW fans to hate. In a nice way.

Who wants to boo Andrew McCullough or Jake Friend?

It’s like an NRL comp without Manly, the 16th favourite team of everyone bar the Sea Eagles’ fans.

Not since Wally Lewis retired 27 years ago has a player polarised State of Origin fans as much as champion hooker and captain Smith.

He was worshipped north of the border but disliked by Blues fans, only because, like King Wally, he was such a great player.

The timing of Smith’s retirement is honourable.

He could have done it last year after the World Cup and State of Origin series and got the public farewells he deserved.

Yet he waited in hope that the hunger might still be there in 2018, that his 34-year-old body could handle one more campaign.

In the end he put his family and Melbourne Storm first, after 56 Test matches, 42 State of Origin games and four Wally Lewis Medals.

He is a phenomenal player, a future Immortal and possibly the best we’ve ever seen.

If you consider the all-time great Origin team of NSW and Queensland players, Cameron Smith would be the first man picked by most.

He was the Maroons’ greatest and most influential player.

To play in 11 series wins in 12 years, the last six as captain, is the proof of that.

— Phil Rothfield