There has been a lot of talk this week following the Melbourne Storm’s victory in the NRL grand final that Storm captain Cameron Smith could be the next Immortal, and a future player-coach of Melbourne should Craig Bellamy leave for greener pastures.
Smith has been criticised for his errant goal-kicking in pressure games, as well as his wrestling tactics in the tackle area.
But we cannot deny Smith’s impressive performance as a player, nor the character of a man who, in a league full of controversy, has always showed us what truly is great about rugby league.
Smith capped a remarkable season by winning Melbourne’s player of the year award on Friday night.
The honour comes after he led the Storm to their second (or fourth, if you fancy stirring) premiership win in last week’s grand final, while he also guided Australia and Queensland to notable victories in 2012.
Smith received 28 votes to edge out Ryan Hoffman (26) and Cooper Cronk (23) for the award. It the 29-year-old’s fifth player of the year award, and it complements this year’s Dally M Hooker of the Year title.
He also became the second highest point scoring forward in history of game this season, and played 25 games out of a possible 27, taking his career club tally to 238 matches.
Also throw in his 24 Origin appearances for Queensland, including three man of the match awards and two Wally Lewis medals.
But wait, we’re not done yet. Don’t forget Smith’s 29 Tests for Australia and his two appearances for the NRL All Stars, or his Golden Boot Award in 2007, or the three times that he has been named RLIF Hooker of the Year (08, 09 and 11)
Smith won the Dally M medal in 2006. He has been Dally M Hooker of the Year four times (06, 08, 11, 12), Representative Player of the Year twice (07, 11) and Captain of the Year once, in 2011.
You can see why respected league writers put this man on a pedestal.
But Smith’s best attribute of all is his modesty, and the fact that he always heaps praise on his teamates and coaches.
Cameron Smith may be an Immortal one day. We could certainly do a lot worse.
jasestorm359
Guest
I think people are missing the point. By 'the next Immortal' I think you will find they mean the next in line of the modern players. Not the actual next inducted Immortal. As much as I love Cameron (he's the 3rd best footballer I have ever seen), Meninga, Provan, McCarthy, Coote all should be inducted before him which again I'm sure is the point/case of the article...
Jake Savage
Guest
What about Smith being Captain - Coach of the Storm if Bellamy does leave? Can it be done in todays game?
alfie
Guest
Best Hooker in the game at the moment and a great leader,at the moment you would have to think he would be in line, but he wont be at the front of the line ,maybe there is 2 or 3 players a head of him presently and rightly so.
george
Guest
solly they cheated they had two top players on the field they should nt of. 2 premierships thank you and they cheated a great man like nathan hindmarsh out of a premiership he deserved. so don t come that bull they won 4 .give yourself an upper cut
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Unless your attending all games i dont believe you can make an informed opinion on a players ability. TV viewing is great but it does not give you a true feel for a players input. I think thats why so many fans including me question when some players are selected in rep teams. imo
Renegade
Guest
Arthur, You're either a tigers fan or you have NFI....."smith overrated" and "Farah more talented".....The tigers squad this year was far better on paper than the storm squad. I could imagine how well Robbie Farah would play with Sisa Waqa, Bryan Norrie, Jamian Lowe....and i'm sure he'd be the australian hooker if Adam Blair was in his side - oh wait....what?!
SHEKMAN
Guest
Cameron Smith "OVER RATED" get a hold of yourself mate his ice cool demeanour is what gels trhe Storm on feild, and if you take a look at the team he leads in melbourne he's been there from the start with the them all...under pressure is where he excells and Robbie disintergrates and that's what sets him apart!!!!!
Andy
Guest
The only weakness to Smith is probably his goal kicking. Other than that he has been the best dummy half for a while in Australia at least.
CBDoggz4lyfe
Guest
KA-CHING! sentiments exactly...
Arthur Fonzarelli
Guest
Cameron Smith is the most over-rated player in rugby league. He has had the luxury of playing in top shelf sides his whole career. Imagine if a Robbie Farah (who is a more talented player than Smith IMO) had the luxury of playing in those sides. The next immortals should be Lockyer and Meninga. Kenny & Sterling would be leap years ahead of Cameron Smith in ability. Dont get me wrong - he is a very good player who deserves his rep honours, but an immortal ?? Please.
Eric George
Roar Rookie
If Smith's best attribute is his modesty, then he sure as hell shouldn't be the next Immortal. As has been pointed out repeatedly over the past fortnight character has no bearing on the selection, despite the furtive hopes of those who are upset about Joey's misdemeanours. Definitely a great player, but is he even the sure pick for best player of his generation, or even team? I know plenty of people who seem to think Billy is the best stormtrooper. This isn't a belief that I hold myself, but it does call into question whether Smith deserves to be considered an all-time great.
jamesb
Roar Guru
Coote and Provan should have been made immortals decades ago! anyway, I think it will be lockyer in five years time, followed by Smith. But I do not like the process on how the immortal is chosen. How people like Phil Rothfield get the chance to vote for an immortal is beyond me.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
a player should have to be retired 10 years and be voted on by a group of his peers from the same decade. Every one knows Coote Provan and Meninga are legends of thier ears and should all be inducted.
Razza
Guest
GO THE EAGLES Here we go, all the experts naming the next Immortal, i am not going to be that precise, but i will say this, there are alot of players way in line for the honour before Cameron Smith, i thought Joey John's being named was a bit premature, sure they are great players, but we are talking about special people here and the award should not be thrown around willy - nilly. I do not know the criteria for being chosen as an Immortal, but what ever it is there is only room for a very few selected players in my book and the honour should be presented to a player no less then every ten years, this is a special award and it should not be given lightly. I have been lucky enough to see all of these players in the flesh and have been specially lucky enough to see 5 of the aready chosen 8 Immortals play the game and i can tell you, there are alot of past players that should be chosen before the modern day player, this is my opinion only and i will tell you they have all not been captains of a team. GO THE EAGLES
dz
Guest
Lockyer has to be in line before Smith.
eagleJack
Guest
Smith will certainly be inducted in due course. And will be thoroughly deserved.
eagleJack
Guest
Yeah cause Andrew Johns didn't change the way the halfback role was played and influence not only the younger generation of league players, but many Union players as well. Crazy stuff that he got inducted. Those living Immortals, along with league royalty such as Wayne Bennett and John Grant, truly must have no idea about the game.
solly
Guest
Don't let anyone kid you, Melbourne have won four grand finals. A trophy can't be taken away from you unless you have won it. Whatever financial support they have had, other clubs, with more history annd tradition and members etc, ought to take a leaf out of the Storm's book. At least before the auditors get to it first.
Huggo
Guest
Cameron Smith won't be next, but will warrant consideration in the future. The judging panel (many of whom are highly respected within league circles) decided Andrew Johns would be inducted this year, get over it. It was an eventuality, as is the induction of greats such as Kenny and Provan. As far as being an award to sell magazines, well, it has not enticed me to buy Rugby League Week. Especially when all facets of this award can be found for free splashed across news, current affair and sports shows, not to mention sites such as this on the internet.
Roarsome
Guest
Exactly, it's like the Logies of Rugby League. Before 9 had the media rights the section process could have been seen as relatively fair though given the age of cross-media advertising and cash for comment, is it any wonder that a channel 9 favorite received the latest award from the magazine it advertises relentlessly during the season? With all the competition amongst the media for sales, NRL immortality could be more about publicity and magazine sales than credibility. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].