Fast-healer Smith on track for 350th

MELBOURNE won’t test hooker Cameron Smith’s pectoral injury until tomorrow, giving their captain every chance to play against Manly at AAMI Park on Sunday in his 350th NRL match.

Smith was rated almost no chance early on after suffering the injury against Canberra but his remarkable healing powers have the Test skipper primed for the milestone game.

“As only Cameron Smith can do, he’s recovered and he trained well with the team, although he hasn’t done any contact work,” football director Frank Ponissi told SEN radio.

“On Saturday, he will do a little bit of contact work and, if he gets through that, he will play his 350th.”

Ponissi said the club had been reassured that Smith couldn’t make the small tear in his muscle worse by playing.

“If he can put up with the inconvenience and the pain, he can play.”

Smith will go level with Canterbury great Terry Lamb on the 350 mark, with only Brisbane legend Darren Lockyer in front with 355 games.

Sunday’s game would elevate Smith to the mostcapped forward, an honour he shares with Steve Menzies.