Melbourne Storm skipper Cameron Smith has re-signed with the club on a two-year extension.
The 35-year old announced his new contract on Thursday during a press conference at AAMI Park, tying him to the Storm until the end of the 2020 season
"We had some talented young guys coming off contract with the club looking to attain or extend their contract," he said.
"I recognised that was important and I was wary of that – there is no use going in and signing a contract and having no quality players around me.
"Cameron Munster is the perfect example – I spoke with our CEO Dave (Donaghy) and said to him 'that is of higher importance, make sure that gets sorted first.'"
Smith is on track to reach the 400-game mark having avoided injuries for the majority of his career ahead of his 18th season.
"No one has ever played 400 games in our code and I don't think anyone would have imagined the first person to do it – if it happens – would be from a Melbourne rugby league team.
"I still love competing and I haven't been told by any of the coaches that my performance is diminishing in any capacity – that would be a sure sign for me to start thinking about finishing up.
"One thing I am always very conscious of is that I am able to fulfil my role.
"I've had a number of conversations with teammates who have finished up and their advice was always 'play as long as you can' so I have taken their advice.
"I have been very lucky with injuries to allow me to stay on the paddock and I'm hoping that continues throughout this year and the next."
The veteran hooker remains as determined as ever to deliver Melbourne its fourth premiership.
"I have been fortunate enough to experience the feeling of winning premierships and I would like to experience that again," he said.
"I have never changed my approach to my trade or my job - I try to be better every day. There is always something to improve on.
"I'm really excited about the young players at our club at the moment, they have a lot of talent, but the best thing is they have a lot to learn as well so I see a lot of improvement.
"It is promising for our club into the next two years and the next five years.
"I'm really thankful the club believes I can see the next two years out.
"I love the club, I love playing the game and I love my teammates so it's pretty easy to come to work every day."
Great player but an even better Grub
Smith is a grub who has the refs and the nrl in his pocket if you actually watch every tackle his always is late and holds the player down so the line gets set. If it was anyone else they would be penalized and I’m so sick of everyone says how good he is. It’s very easy to look good when you can do what you want on the field.
+1
Hahaha sick to death hearing people whinge about him and the refs, maybe if your Captain’s in their team’s spoke to the refs with respect ( a calm demeanor) every time they get some more calls going their way
That won’t help anyone apart from smith
He’s no grub and he is the best captain n the league
-5002
Sucks to be Brandon Smith, 2 more years of being second friddle when he could easily walk into about 6 other NRL clubs as a starting hooker
totally agree..he needs to get out of storm asap
It will be interesting to see what happens with Brandon Smith. If he is willing to wait or if other clubs jump at signing him.
The upside if he decides to bide his time and take in everything Cam Smith knows but that could be a downside too. Flip a coin bro
Hes contracted to 2021 i think, doubt Storm will allow him to pursue an opportunity elsewhere and will continue to give him 20-30 minutes a game the next couple years.
Going to need knee replacements by age 50 which only last 15years.
Naaaahhh … keep chewing voltarens
I hate Cam Smith, he’s a brilliant footy player that uses his brains above his ability. He’s terrorized NSW for a decade and albeit that rep footy is over I suspect that he and bellamy will go out together.
I don’t see the drizzle dropping off the pace that much. They proved that they can do it without Cronk.
It would be nice to see some dark horses make the GF this year..
The biggest grub in this game is Gallen, he he takes the cake, hands down.
Excellent news. It means 2 more years of watching an absolute champion and 2 more years of laughing at the sooks on this site.
Maybe he’s not an 80mins every match player anymore but even 60mins or 4 or of 5 games he is still a great resigning.
Agree 100%. Imagine the accolades if he was born in nsw.
Maybe he should have done what Cronk did and move to Sydney. Up until last year Cronk was a hack who couldn’t play away from Bellamy and his systems, riding on the coattails of Smith and Slater at storm and JT GI and co at Origin.
Then almost overnight he became a champion.
Absolutely correct
He is no grub. He’s the best captain at any level
StormFanAdam, did he really become a champion or just a better coach than Robinson? No doubt he brought Keary’s talent to light. Was the wingless chicken riding on the coattails of the other talented chooks? He certainly didn’t sparkle in the first half of the season. But any Judas who sells himself for 30 pieces of silver eventually has to justify himself. I still don’t think he’s a great player but I will admit, reluctantly, he’s a good on field coach and a very good tactician in hindsight. Really did the dirty on the Storm , lying to them and NRL fans for months when he’d already done the deal with Roosters months before. Can’t tolerate liars and cheats.
Filthiest grub in the game – beats Gallen hands down.
Biff I tend to disagree, A great halfback leads teams to premierships and Cronk proved that last season with a new club. Pearce just could not give us that direction in the big games although he did play a good role in 2013 but he lost his way in the 4 seasons after that.
Cronk is a true champion and his stats prove it. He has scored 16 tries in 38 tests for Australia and is the most capped halfback in Aussie history, Although Thurston played half for the Cowboys Cronk was so skilled Thurston who many declare will be an immortal one day had to be moved to 5/8 because Cronk was so great at halfback. The same applied for State Of Origin with Cronk playing half back and Thurston 5/8. So was Cronk a better halfback than Thurston❓❓❓ Well its not my oppionion but obviously the selectors thought so.
I understand your disappointment at the two time Dally M winner walking away from the Storm but the lad was in love and did the right thing in life by following a woman to Sydney for all the right reasons.💪🐔👍
Great Player who has lead for Qld for years. What I do want to know though, he played in a testimonial last year with JT, collecting half the Gate, does this count towards the salary cap???
Of course it doesn’t. Nor does the 7 testimonial dinners…. or the house renos…..
Lets hope Smith smashes the 400 game barrier and we are all alive to witness such an amazing feat and Rugby League record that will never be beaten, Totally amazing 😎👍
WoodChook, normally I’m happy to state my admiration for the talent and skills of any player or team, whether I like them or not, but not Judas Cronk.
I doubt very much that Roosters fans will be singing his praises if he does the dirty on the Roosters like he did the Storm.
I’m sorry I can’t tell you more. I’ll have to leave it at that.
Oh stop this charade woodduck, your insulting the inteligence of all ZT users here with your insane alter ego comments, so how will Cronk do the dirty on Easts? Oh wait i’ll leave it at that, can’t tell you more, for crying out loud woody please look to getting the medical help you need, but before you do that, please don’t leave us in suspense, get Biff , you, to tell us HOW he will do the dirty on easts, this will be fascinating reading
More testimonials.??