‘GIVE ME TWO MORE’
Smith aims to play on until 2020
RUGBY LEAGUE: Cameron Smith has stunned the Melbourne Storm by outlining his plan to secure a two-year contract to remain in the NRL until 2020.
The Courier-Mail can reveal the Storm hooker is keen to put retirement firmly on the backburner, requesting a longerterm deal as he eyes an NRL career beyond his 37th birthday.
Melbourne was initially planning for Smith to retire at the end of next year but a contract stalemate in recent months has left the Storm’s captain and most important player without a formal deal for 2019.
A fortnight ago, Melbourne announced a 27-man squad for next season without Smith on their roster.
Now the contract saga has taken a dramatic twist, with the Storm receiving information Smith wants more than a 12month deal, confident his body can withstand the rigours of another two years in the NRL.
The 35-year-old is the mostcapped player in NRL history, with 384 matches, and could surge past the 400-game milestone by playing a staggering 19th NRL season in 2020.
Despite speculation the protracted negotiations could lead Smith to quit the NRL immediately, Storm football operations chief Frank Ponissi dismissed fears their No.1 player could follow Billy Slater into retirement.
“Cameron has been given time off until January and we are in no rush. I have no doubt his new deal will get done in time,” Ponissi said.
“There’s no real reason for the hold-up. We’re still in negotiations and sometimes contract talks take time, but it’s not a sign that Cam won’t be here.
“I would be very, very surprised if Cameron doesn’t play on.
“Cameron is enjoying his first long break in a long time with no World Cup and representative commitments at the end of the season ... so we will let him enjoy the off-season and he will come back in the first week in January.”
Smith’s shock decision this year to retire from representative football has reduced the demands on his body and allowed him to focus his energies on the Storm.
Should the Storm agree to a two-year extension, it is understood the club will explore ways to ease the strain on Smith, including resting his body during matches.
Ponissi lauded Smith’s longevity and achievements.
“It was a big decision for him not to play Origin this year, he really enjoyed playing for Queensland and Australia – it was a massive part of his life.
“But it’s kept him going physically and mentally. Not having the intensity and the commitment of Origin ... could help prolong his career with us.”