Cam asks his mates about retiring

STORM legend Cameron Smith has sought advice from former teammates about retiring ahead of what shapes as his NRL grand final swan song.

Smith, 37, is likely to hang up the boots after Sunday’s premiership decider against Penrith in Sydney in what will be his 430th NRL appearance.

The Melbourne captain will suit up for his eighth grand final and remains without a contract for 2021, insisting he is yet to decide if he will play on.

But on Thursday Smith gave the strongest indication yet that he is weighing up walking away from the game.

At his final pre-match press conference, Smith revealed he had spoken to ex-teammates about retiring but insisted he had not felt the urge to give the game away.

“Not really, which is why it makes the decision really hard,” Smith said when asked if “Father Time” had caught up with him.

“I’ve spoken to a few of my ex-teammates who are now retired. They’ve told me there was one day they woke up and in their mind they didn’t want to do it anymore.

“That was the reason they knew it was time to finish up. I haven’t had that feeling yet.”

Smith (pictured) has consistently maintained he is yet to make a call on his future, however Melbourne figures privately believe he will retire.

After 19 seasons in the NRL, Smith looks as motivated as ever to win the 2020 title and coach Craig Bellamy said little had changed in his captain’s approach.

“I wouldn’t expect anything else,” Bellamy said. “I’ve been around him for 18 years. I don’t know exactly what makes him tick but … I know the competitor that is in him and the great care he has for his teammates and the club in general.”