When the Rugby League world witnessed the debut of Cameron Smith in 2003, I’m sure very few could predict the great heights he would achieve throughout his career.
The wiry Brisbane product has captained his club, state and national team. He also has won awards ranging from Dally M Player of the Year to State of Origin man of the matches.
Some have called him the greatest hooker to play the game. Others claim he is a walking Immortal. I can’t argue with such assertions.
He is the embodiment of calmness and professionalism. Nothing phases Cameron Smith. He is the iceman of Rugby League.
Matty Johns even once went to the extent of saying that “He could smoke a cigar and roll a ham sandwich whilst playing an Origin match. The man is that good.”
That is why, at this time of year when cockroaches start crawling out from the woodwork, whispering amongst themselves about the end times for Queensland, I know that the Maroons has an undisputed advantage over them.
Whilst many argue that the most valuable assets to Queensland are attacking superweapons Greg Inglis and Billy Slater, I ask them not to forget perhaps the most important cog in the Maroons mighty spine.
Cameron Smith is the Eisenhower of the Maroons army. He organises everything and has the uncanny ability of executing the right play at the perfect time. He never makes a mistake and can always be relied upon.
Smith doesn’t know the meaning of the word defeat. Infact, it isn’t even a part of his vocabulary. That’s because all he knows is winning.
There’s a joke that goes around up here in North Queensland. If Cameron Smith were to be injured in an Origin match, he would return to the field in a wheelchair and still outplay his opposition and lead the Maroons to victory.
Whilst I can’t realistically agree with the joke, I can’t discount it entirely either. Cameron Smith is a machine, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he played an Origin games injured and still lead the Maroons to a win. He is that sort of player.
So, this Wednesday night when the mighty Maroons march out onto a chilly ANZ pitch to continue the epic struggle against forces of evil, I will fear no Blues, for Cameron Smith is with us. His skill and greatness comfort me. Splendour and glory shall surely follow Queensland as long as he leads the side.
In Smith we trust.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
What happens on the field stays on the field, as the old adage goes. I'm sure they got on alright outside of the football field. It would've been interesting to hear some of Smithy's sledges though, considering he isn't a renowned niggler.
Morfs
Guest
That he is; he's also not afraid to get into some old-fashioned mindgames. Back when Danny Buderus was the NSW #9, there were stories of them giving it to each other verbally in tackles, behind play, etc. I can't remember any specific quotes, but I believe the original anecdote I read was around Smith taking over the #9 position from Buderous in the Kangeroos line-up, and how Danny would not be getting it back.It may not be the best example to set for the kids, but it sums up what Origin is about, to me, and I'm pretty sure they were mates after the full time whistle, anyway.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Poor old Ennis copped some pretty poor treatment at times, except for when he started brawls which resulted in penalties and tries scored against his side. Yes I remember watching Farah unravel in the final minutes of game 3 last year. It was great when he dropped that ball, I knew it was all over and so did the Blues. Fantastic memory.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Come on mate, the joke wasn't that bad. Imagine Smith rolling around the field in a wheelchair with the football in hand, palming off defenders, throwing spectacular cut-out passes, making crushing tackles and generally making the Blues look clueless like he always does. Another Redneck? A bit harsh. He'd be up there with the most intelligent rugby league players. Plus, his neck is hardly red, more of a light pink. Anyway, I wouldn't mind Qld making up another song, but you gotta admit it, the song is pretty catchy and I bet it'll annoy you even more when Queendsland are singing it again when they win this series. It really must sucktobeyou if you're a Blues fan.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
That's correct, I must have gotten mixed up with his State of Origin debut year. Can the mods fix that?
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Haha, Lang Park will soon have a row of statues to rival the Ballarat Botanical Gardens.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Yes, Ben Elias recently did. But as pointed out in another article, he is a classic NSW villain undertaking an exercise in futility. That exercise is attempting to get under Smithy's skin. Try as he might, Smith will be as brilliant as ever come Wednesday night.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
I suppose that's from where the joke Originated Morfs. He is as tough as they come.
Hossey
Roar Guru
An instrumental cog in the Queensland machine, it all starts with him. Top class service from dummy half, a trait which is often understated amongst league fans in the modern game.
manlyman
Guest
@ tiger yes Farrah did stuff up in the end of that game but did u watch the rest of the game? It was Farrah not carney or pearce that set up stewarts try and then morris' in the corner! Farrah played his heart out and stood up when our halves did not! Farrah this year is playing better than smith and the stats prove it! Smith also plays with the AUST fullback and halfback! His team also cheated this great game we love! His involvement was swept under the rug! If they swapped teams smith would be worse than ennis he needs great players around him too make him great Farrah is just great! And I hated Farrah for years until last years origin!
Tiger
Guest
Just check out the last 4 minutes of the deciding Origin 3 last year to see why Farah will never be better then Smith.. Farah is a selfish player who tries to do the big play, not for the team, but so he can be in the papers the next day as the hero.. He ran to the blinside with 2 tackles up the Blues sleeves when he shouldve went straight up the park to set for an equalising field goal..go to extra time, where I believe NSW wouldve won because the Maroons looked gone. He ended up dropping the ball cold and whinges blaming everyone else for the mistake..if he wasn't a media darling the papers would've blamed him for the loss..especially if his name was Ennis!!
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
I hate to say I agree with you on the song. I don't get it the use of it. When was it introduced? 2006?
itsuckstobeyou
Roar Pro
Best avoid open mic nights in Townsville then. Even for a Blues fan, he's hard not to like. You've got to respect the bloke... right up until you see him singing that "Aye-Aye-Yippee" song and then you realise he's just another redneck. What is that song anyway? Does it have some kind of cultural significance to Queensland? Were the actual lyrics to She'll be coming 'round the mountain too complicated?
Stormer
Guest
Cam Smith debuted in 2002, Round 5 against the Bulldogs, not 2003.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
wait didn't someone say Farrah was better than him?
Morfs
Guest
The wheelchair is a bit of a stretch, but he's backed up for big games (NRL & Origin both, from memory) when sufferring from a virus, etc. I think there was a game last year where he caught something off one of his children, after already missing out on lots of sleep due to their illness, and still played a classic game. Much loved up in QLD, and much loved down here in Melbourne. A giant in class & ability, if not in stature. Love him.
oikee
Guest
We will be running out of Bronze in Queensland over the next few years. Hehe. I have never seen Cam Smith give less than 110 percent. That is what makes him a special player.
Phil Coorey
Roar Pro
Agree peeeko
peeeko
Roar Guru
Doesn't look like much but a great player. Good to see a footballer still dominating rather than an athlete