STILL A WINNER

Q You spent five seasons in Melbourne to start your career. What was that like? A I look back and it was just an amazing time. I’d play the ball and Cameron Smith would pick it up and he’d pass it to Cooper Cronk on to Greg Inglis or out to Billy Slater and Israel Folau’s on the end of it. You know that’s not to mention some of the other players, like the Dallas Johnsons and Mick Crockers. To look back at that side and see how good those players are now, it was a fantastic time in my life. I have some wonderful memories and learnt so much about rugby league there. Craig Bellamy is a really important part of anyone who’s had success down in Melbourne. As we all know, he’s got a wonderful sense of being able to get the best out of people and on a personal level, he is the reason I’ve been able to do what I do in rugby league or to have done what I’ve done. Q The salary cap drama popped up after you left. How did you see that and do you still consider yourself a premiership winner? A You see what Melbourne Storm have gone and done after that – I think that answers any questions anyone has. They’ve shown it had nothing to do with money down there, that period there was so much more to their success. You see some clubs that go through similar issues and fall apart. Melbourne haven’t missed a beat. Looking back, you can’t say it had anything to do with the salary cap. I always say the same thing – I’ve always got the DVDs, the tattoos, the rings, the memories.