Townsville Bulletin

Smith has best shot at Dally M

- TRAVIS MEYN RIKKI- LEE ARNOLD

IMMORTAL Andrew Johns says Cameron Smith is far from finished dominating the NRL and could join him as a threetime Dally M Medal winner before he retires.

Smith is an unbackable favourite to collect his second player- of- the- year award at tonight’s Dally M Medal night in Sydney.

The Melbourne Storm captain has been the most dominant player in the NRL this season, with some betting agencies already paying out on him collecting the game’s highest individual honour.

Smith, 34, collected his first Dally M Medal in 2006 and to win a second 11 years later would show the incredible consistenc­y the Kangaroos and Maroons captain has produced throughout his decorated career.

Johns won three Dally M Medals ( 1998- 99, 2002) during the prime of his career and Johnathan Thurston ( 2005, 07, 14 and 15) is the only player to have won the award four times.

Smith is contracted with the Storm for 2018 and Johns said he could claim another before he hangs up the boots.

“If he stays injury free he could win another one,” he said.

“He amazes me every time I watch him. He is an out- and- out superstar. He plays the same every week. It doesn’t matter if it’s at Campbellto­wn, State of Origin or a Test match. He is a pleasure to watch.

“My body broke down towards the end of my career but he’s fully fit and keeps getting better.”

 ?? Storm skipper Cameron Smith. ??
Storm skipper Cameron Smith.

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