Storm boss in awe of Smith
RECORD-BREAKER Cameron Smith could play 400 games, according to humbled Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
In career-best form, Smith, 34, would need two full seasons and finals to achieve the previously unimaginable player milestone.
The Maroons and Kangaroos skipper is contracted next season and remains openminded about playing on beyond 2018.
“We’d all like to see him get to 400 but at the end of the day he’s got to decide whether he’s still got that mentality to keep working and to keep trying to get better,” Bellamy said.
“Every pre-season he turns up here and he’s always looking to improve something, obviously the last five or six years it’s probably been what can he improve in but he always finds something no matter how small.
“If he turns up for a preseason and he’s not thinking that I think that might be the time (to hang up the boots), but I don’t think that’s the time at the moment.
“Getting 400 games will probably be a driver for him but at the end of the day he’s got to make sure mentally that he’s still willing to work really hard and still look to better himself.”
Smith has shouldered a heavy load over the past 15 seasons, cramming in 355 club games, 42 Origins, 50 Tests and four All-Star appearances.
Bellamy yesterday said it was “humbling” to have been played a part in Smith’s career.
“Not much I can say, I suppose, gives the credit or the monumental effort it’s been to play more games than anybody else in the history of our game it basically speaks for itself,” Bellamy said.
“Cameron’s had a lot of milestones this year and he’s broken a few records.
“This one is hard to describe for me, it’s quite surreal. I’ve coached the guy that’s broken the record for the most number of games in the NRL.”
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg will present Smith with a specially struck medal after today’s qualifying final against Parramatta.
“Cameron has been an incredible player over the course of his long career with Melbourne,” Greenberg said.