Adding a new chapter to the family legacy
STORM signing Cole Geyer was a one -year-old when his godfather Cameron Smith played his first of 433 NRL matches for Melbourne.
The son of 262-game Storm winger Matt watched and learned Smith’s every move on the football field, trying to absorb those champion instincts through the screen.
At this point Geyer, 20, says the only real difference in his approach to playing hooker from his mentor is that he’s even more of a running threat.
Keen eyes have been monitoring his development with the Burleigh under-20s and Currumbin in A-grade.
In June the Storm pounced, signing Geyer to a two-year development deal as part of the club’s 2022 and 2023 NRL squads.
Geyer will skip the Intrust Super Cup to learn the ropes from rep stars Harry Grant and Brandon Smith, who have helped guide the Storm to 18 straight wins, the longest streak in the NRL era.
In his first interview, Geyer said his goal was to write a new chapter of his family’s legacy at one of the world’s most successful sporting teams.
“The Storm were always my favourite team growing up,” Geyer said. “It’s so cool to be back down there and hopefully add on to the legacy my dad started.”
Having the greatest hooker of all time as a personal mentor is an asset Geyer plans to take full advantage of.
“I’ve always tried to make my game similar to his,” he said. “I probably don’t ask him for advice enough but whenever I do he’s always been willing to help me.
“Smithy has been awesome … mainly with my kicking game. Off the field he says it’s all about your preparation and doing the little things.”
One area the two are poles apart is with the ball in hand.
In 433 senior matches Smith scored 48 tries where Geyer averages more than a try per match.
“That’s probably the only difference me and Cam have,” he said. “Cam controlled the game and I like to run the ball. With the way the game is changing it probably suits the running No.9.”
Before moving to Melbourne Geyer hopes to help guide the Eagles to the club’s their first Gold Coast premiership, under dad Matt as head coach.