When Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell wanted advice on how to approach an AFL grand final replay in 2010, he turned to Melbourne Storm counterpart Cameron Smith.
NRL stalwart Smith had captained the Storm and Queensland, he knew about backing up and was renowned for man management as much as being a master tactician.
Now Maxwell finds himself employed to advise Smith and his teammates, the retired AFL premiership captain appointed as the NRL club’s leadership coach.
“It’ll be a bit intimidating at the start, but all leadership is about relationships,” Maxwell said of the prospect of mentoring Smith, Australia’s captain since Darren Lockyer retired in 2011.
“I’d never come here and tell those guys (senior players) how to do their role every day and how to lead, it’s just different options.
“It’s working with those guys, asking for their advice on what’ll work best.”
Maxwell will spend one or two days a week alongside Storm coach Craig Bellamy in 2015.
In addition to advising Bellamy and the leadership group, the 31-year-old will spend time with the club’s young players.
“Working on professionalism and expectation,” he said on Monday.
“Looking at how they talk to each other, how they get to their final answer and how they walk away from meetings.”
Coaches from both codes have crossed over in the past – but it’s mostly been restricted to physical skills like kicking, marking or tackling.
Maxwell suggested more professional athletes would start working as leadership consultants for rival sports in the future.
“After the 2010 grand final draw I spoke to him (Smith) and it helped me a lot,” he said.
“I’ve also spoken with other leaders in different sports at different times of my career for advice, and vice versa.
“When you’re an athlete, it’s all the same thing – getting the best out of your body and our team … a lot of it lines up.”
Maxwell added that the Storm’s post-season review after a loss in week one of the finals convinced him to sign up.
“To see how aggressive they were in the reviews, in terms of wanting to be better and prepare for next year, that was something that really excited me,” he said.
BigAl
Guest
He should do well. At Collingwood his acknowledgred great leadership qualities were often what got him a game.
MAF1970
Guest
Not a lot of empty spaces to look after on a Rugby League field - not sure what he will have to offer...........
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
It wouldn't surprise me if we see Maxwell heading up the Storms football operations department in the next few years and Smith being the coach once he retires.