BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 02: Cameron Smith of Australia celebrates victory at the final whistle during the 2017 Rugby League World Cup Final between the Australian Kangaroos and England at Suncorp Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Origin, Grand Final, and World Cup glory.

Each a winning team, captained by Cameron Smith. All in the space of one illustrious year.

It's a fair statement, that Dally M medalist has had the most successful year by any athlete, in any sport.

To compliment Smith's achievements comes the biggest of them all. Surpassing Darren Lockyer to play the most games in history.

The 34-year old concedes that his career isn't about to be drawn closed and you should expect to see Smith reach new remarkable heights in the coming years.

“It is the last year of his contract (in 2018), but the club is extremely keen to extend his deal beyond the end of next year,” Storm football director Frank Ponissi told the Herald Sun.

“He’s indicated that as well through his management and himself.

“There’s certainly no urgency to do that given he played his first game of the year in Hobart back in February and there he is still playing in the first week of December.

“It’s not the right time now, but certainly for both club and player the plan is to sit down in the near future and extend into 2019 and who knows beyond that.

“You’d rule nothing out with Cameron. He just loves the game and competing."

Dally M Award, the international Golden Boot, and narrowly missing out on the Clive Churchill, the list goes on. Leading Queensland and Australia to victory, as well as where his heart lies, in Melbourne.

 

“I can’t think of anything that is close to matching what Cameron did this year,” Ponissi said.

“It has just been an extraordinary year, and it should be remembered he has done it at 34 years of age.

“It’s an age many players are supposed to retire and in a lot of cases are slowing down, but for Cameron, it is the exact opposite.”

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