Smith’s smarts key to longevity in game

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The NRL record of Smith, who has already signed on for next season and is contemplating playing beyond that, may never be broken.

And not to be forgotten, he’s also played three World Club Challenge games, four All Stars games, 42 State of Origins for Queensland and 56 games representing Australia, pushing his game count beyond 500.

Smith’s longevity and durability over 18 seasons – only missing 11 games through injury – can be attributed as much to his game smarts as his athletic ability.

He was cruelly dubbed “a footballer in an accountant’s body” by former teammate Matt Geyer. But that’s the reality. A father of three, he doesn’t have bulging muscles, super strength or electric speed and was no schoolboy prodigy.

But he has no peer when it comes to game management – be it his own team, the opposition or the referee. While he doesn’t shirk any work – regularly topping the tackle count – his brains trumps brawn.

Rugby league conditioning guru Alex Corvo, now at the Warriors but at the Storm for 11 of Smith’s seasons, says the former Test hooker’s smarts are key to his success.

“He’s probably the smartest footballer that’s played the game,” said Corvo. “Because he’s so capable in the skill area and in the way he analyses and reads the game, it allows him to cope better physically.

“He puts himself in the right position to make sure that he has the upper hand in most collisions so he’s one of the best defenders and wrestlers in the game.”

Craig Bellamy took over as Melbourne coach in 2003, a year after Smith made his debut. He made Smith the starting hooker from Round 1 of that season and said he’d never contemplated dropping him since.

He recalled one instance when Smith was the target of an infamous Bellamy “chat”.

“I had a little chat to him once in the pre-season – I was pretty honest with him as I didn’t think he pushed himself enough at training,” Bellamy said.

“That was about 18 years ago – and we haven’t had that chat since.”

Bellamy said the way Smith’s body was holding up, the only limit on his longevity in the game was in his mind.

“I am sure the last few months he has probably had his eye on the 400 ….

“Whether there is any motivation dip when he plays 400, I don’t know. The way he is playing at the moment, I think he will play along for as long as he wants.”