Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith maintains he plans to play on in 2019.
He has more than earned that right.
“We will see what happens”: Cameron Smith.
But 35 year old has reserved the right to reconsider, should his Storm win next Sunday’s NRL Grand Final and become the first side to win back-to-back premierships in the NRL era.
He has more than earned the right to make that call too, especially as it will let him walk off the field with his long time teammate Billy Slater who has already locked in his retirement.
In the wake of the Storm’s 22-6 preliminary final win over Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park on Friday night, Smith cast an exhausted, pensive figure post game.
He still works as hard as any player on the field and he led from the front as the Storm overcame injuries and uncertainty to march back to the grand final, their third in three years.
So maybe it was fatigue talking but Smith was asked deep into the Storm’s post game press conference whether he would considering retiring if he and Slater could make a fairytale exit as 2018 premiers.
Smith paused and Slater joked that Smith had asked him to play on after Slater scored his second try on Friday night, “Are you sure you want to retire this year?” Smith asked him.
But when facing his own football exit, Smith reflected honestly about being nervous all week about Slater and Ryan Hoffman possibly playing their last games and was savouring his time with them.
“If we go and play well next week I don’t know – you would consider it,” Smith admitted.
Jaws dropped, follow up questions ensued and Smith smiled.
Was this a Storm plan to hijack the media coverage heading into the grand final or was Smith using Collingwood’s shock AFL win to mask his departure from the NRL.
Or was he just tired. It was 10.55pm after an exhausting game.
“Maybe – I don’t have a contract next year yet,” Smith exclaimed when asked if he was serious.
Reports have come out for the last week stating Smith had agreed to terms to play on next year although there is no confirmation he has signed it.
“We will see what happens.”
Storm coach Craig Bellamy said he doesn’t want to be losing both his veteran superstars.
“Losing one of them is bad enough, you don’t want to be losing both of them,” Bellamy said.
“So zip it up boys.”
Sensing the mood in the room changing, Smith tried to bring the conversation back into prospective.
“We will just get through the week first and see what happens,” Smith said.
Slater joked to Smith that he has “dropped a bombshell there matey”.
“They drop things all the time on me,” Bellamy dead-panned.
In the past two years he has had Cooper Cronk leave, Slater and Ryan Hoffman retire and Smith remain on his perch. Bellamy also had his moment of truth earlier this year turning down prospects elsewhere to re-sign with the Storm.
In the nearby hallway, Johnathan Thurston was working on the television broadcast, his retirement only three weeks old.
Smith understands the media and news agendas as well as anyone in the NRL, so he was asked if he was joking or if he wanted to clarify his position.
“What are you panicking for?” Smith asked.
“Players finish up all the time and new players come in, start writing about them.
“I have all intentions of going around next year, you posed the question to me, if we were to win would you consider it? Well I don’t know. We will win first and see what happens.
“At this stage I want to play on. Does that clear it up for you? Clear as mud.”
Was he joking, was he serious or was he just reflecting honestly on his future.
We will find out post game next Sunday.
It’s just my 10 cents but I think when the dust settles and preseason training comes around again, Smith will be there.
If there is one thing he will quickly learn from all his retired mates, it’s that you are a long time gone.
One more season and the chase for one more premiership is worth it.
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