I don’t know Cameron Smith. In all likelihood, most of you reading this don’t either. We know a media persona, a version of the man. An element of his personality.
The element I’ve seen for the last decade is tenacious, hard-working, fiercely combative, aggressive even. He seems to also be a good leader of men.
Yet for some reason Channel Nine have decided to publicly assassinate the character and integrity of Cameron Smith during what was a very moving piece covering Alex McKinnon on Sunday night’s 60 Minutes.
There’s no doubt that this is a delicate situation. What happened to McKinnon was horrific. No one is denying that for one second. The tackle was illegal in the laws of the game, and the punishment has been done and dusted.
The rugby league community also banded together through the ‘Rise for Alex’ movement, which has been an unbelievable positive for the sport in general.
Few could even remotely imagine what McKinnon and his close friends and family have gone through. Further, I don’t believe anyone would begrudge McKinnon in wanting compensation and financial security for his future. I don’t think anyone would really have an issue with him being angry either.
What I do have a massive issue with though is the way that Channel Nine and Liz Hayes, the reporter, used McKinnon’s vulnerability to tarnish the good name of Cameron Smith and the Melbourne Storm in general.
A production decision seemed to have been made to show the footage of the tackle for the first time – yes, the first time – to McKinnon for the purposes of the story, while making particular focus on Smith’s actions in the heat of battle.
Not once was Smith or anyone from the Storm given a chance to defend themselves. This is disgraceful. They aimed to use a short grab from legendary coach Wayne Bennett to provide a different slant on Smith’s character.
Would Smith have changed his on-field behaviour if he had his time over again? Maybe. Maybe not. That’s not really the point though.
This is no longer the inspiring love story of McKinnon and his partner. I would hate to think that Channel Nine and 60 Minutes would be the cause of the general public turning on McKinnon for this anger towards Smith. In the worst case scenario, if you’re a one-eyed Queensland supporter, this might not be a bridge too far to imagine.
Remember, this is the captain of Melbourne Storm, Queensland and Australia. I don’t recall a time (please correct me if I’m wrong) prior to this incident, where his character has been brought into question in any real way. Indeed, many, many people in the rugby league family speak exceedingly highly of Smith’s nature.
To not even offer him the chance to defend himself is totally unfair.
I’m not a television producer clearly, but I have a fundamental problem with the way the 60 minutes story was put together, not to mention the story’s timing. Given the explosive nature of McKinnon’s words – be they correct or not – wouldn’t you think that the Sunday before Origin 3 might not be the best timing?
More to the point, wouldn’t you think Channel Nine, the host broadcaster of State of Origin, might’ve viewed this as to hold off on until the conclusion of the series? If media reports are to be believed, Smith is so incensed with his treatment he will refuse any media requests from Nine in the lead up to, during, or after the Origin decider.
Are we going to have a ridiculous situation where a vice-captain lifts the trophy should Queensland win? I’d like to think not, but if it does eventuate, Channel Nine have no one to blame but themselves.
As Wayne Bennett proved yet again during this story, there is more than meets the eye with anyone that is in the public spotlight. Not for one second am I suggesting that Cameron Smith is an angel and absolved of his behaviour – I don’t know the guy – but I am extremely disappointed at the portrait painted by Channel Nine in this instance. They have a lot to answer for.
Ken
Guest
Man that's awesome , I am a Cameron smith supporter but I'm glad you said that ,so may idiots in here trying to qualify a reason why Cameron is bad ,he didn't apologise ,he argued for a penalty ,he did this he should have said that but truth is these people would still hate him is he had apologised ,not argued all that rubbish ,at least your honest ........apologise to Alex after he was knocked back 3 times in trying to see him wow so you guys want Cameron to apologise to a guy who hates you and who's dad is blaming you for anything and everything hmmm, that will go well wouldn't it ?last night I saw Tamou head high a qld player with a swinging arm than follow up with a swinging punch " one punch can kill" yet gallens arguing with the ref about the penalty doing his job as he should as a captain ,it's all moralistic hypocrisy from Cameron Smith ,Melbourne Storm and qld haters , so stay angry get on your high horse scream at the moon and keep hating Cameron Smith ,the storm and all but in the end Alex is still in a wheel chair ,he and his dad will still hate smith or blame someone for what happened which is their right ,Cameron smith will still be a great husband ,father to his lovely children ,raises money for terminally ill kids ,visits sick children in hospitals in his spare time and a human being who's is mostly perfect but like all of us is not always perfect .....but hey we have more murderers ,rapists ,Islamic radicals ,pedophiles you know the really honestly bad people and you idiots want to direct your hate onto the Australian rugby league captain hmmm gotta admire that ...not .
wombat
Guest
Finally someone speaks the truth,Smith was disgusting ,man up and apologise I reckon . The guy was screaming ,obviously injured ,bugger all to do with 60 minutes ,poor behaviour,Australian captain pffft,show some courage and apologise for being so pathetic as to argue a penalty and blame Mckinnon for his players illegally tackling him and turning him into a quadraplegic,get some perspective guys.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Probably the most honest comment on here.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Book publishers are in the business of selling books. My parents owned a book store for 20 years, so if you think the book was 'accidentally' released when football is at a fever pitch then there isn't really much more to say. Have a look when every Rugby League auto gets released. Its not in January.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Biggest selling item in QLD in July 2015......... Aluminium foil hats .
Wolly
Roar Guru
Smith has done it to himself. This story is based on fact, pure and simple. A bloke is screaming saying he can't feel his legs and is very clearly extremely distressed. Yes captains argue decisions all the time but I'm yet to see and hopefully never will see a similar situation. I can understand you're in a different mindset whilst in the middle of a game but how can you be that desensitised to an injured human where your main priority becomes a penalty? I'm not sold on Smith's character at all. Tackle after tackle he commits acts that seem against the nature of the game. Singing the QLD victory song after a Kangaroos win which never happened whilst Lockyer was skipper even when QLD got the whitewash. Not even Thaiday who you would think if Smith was such a worthy fellow would come out and defend his QLD teammate who would have a chance to captain his club to back-to-back premierships.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Unfortunately Jay I think you're right. You would like to think people would put parochialism aside for something like this but no it seems pretty heavily divided down state lines. People tend to think in extremes which unfortunately doesn't really work because most things in life usually sit somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, whatever the issue.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Hi Ren, I agree on most points. I think there are many rational non partisan commenters, but there are definitely some people who have used the issue to push their agendas on both sides. I didn't see the CM back page you were referring to. I assumed it was something to do with his comments. As much as possible i avoid participating in the news cycle. Other than RL.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I'm quite sure most sensible people have put state allegiances and banter aside on this issue mate.... You're spot on about the media tarnishing people for a quick buck. Everyone knows Gallen was trying to create some extra interest for game 2 and none of it was directed to anyone specific - it was an off the cuff remark.... The courier mail back page the next day was a personal attack calling him a drug cheat - I think him and his family have been through enough via the ASADA saga. I'm not on either side of the fence regarding Alex and Cam.... I don't believe either deserve to receieve some of the vitriol that has been sent their way. I say it, time and time again... The majority of our society is way too influenced by the media - not sure how we fix the problem though. I still don't understand what boycotting the games broadcasters will achieve.
At work
Roar Rookie
McKinnon certainly has the right to be angry at the world, but him picking out Smith in this instance is just plain wrong and not well thought through. Ch.9 and McKinnon saying he complained for 8 minutes is flat out wrong. There is a really good video doing the rounds that shows the timeline and Smith stayed quiet while McKinnon was tended to on the field. Afterwards Smith asked the questions as to why weren't very similar tackles in that first half called for penalties. Quite rightly, but extremely unfortunate, most people agree McKinnon shouldn't have tucked his head in. But we're not here to blame anybody as it was a freak accident and so unfortunate for Alex and his family. 60 minutes should be ashamed of seeking a juicy reaction from McKinnon by showing him the video, although I hear the book has some words for Smith too... I also question what the role of the other captain is in this scenario, why is it expected that Smith should have visited him in hospital?
At work
Roar Rookie
How can the AFL be SD on 7Mate when that's a HD channel?
Jay C
Roar Guru
Wouldn't surprise me to see 9 tank the NRL in order to negotiate a better deal and save itself. If 9 lost footy it would be a very quick fall from grace. TV is unnecessary. I probably watch an hour of 'TV' a month. I have a Netflix subscription and honestly, other than RL would never turn the TV on.
Jay C
Roar Guru
To be fair. Do you recall what Gallen said about the people of Queensland before Origin 2? I personally think the Maroons should boycott all channel 9stuff from here on. I have personally had friends/family good names tarnished by Australian media and it is despicable. Gotcha journalism is one of the worst things I can think of. The number of lives it destroys, all to make a quick buck. A lot of people are either in the Cameron Smith camp, or in the Alex McKinnon camp, and it mostly comes down to whether they wear maroon or blue for 3 days a year. But I think what channel 9 did to McKinnon is just as bad if not worse. Imagine having a horrific event that changed your life forever used as cheap promotional work for a network to sell ad space during a football match. Channel 9 should pledge to donate 100 percent of profits made from Origin 3 to the #riseforalex appeal.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Do you think it wasn't?
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Television is known as a medium, as it's neither rare or well done.
Fatu Ah Siu
Guest
TV rights are up for place, so who does ch9 attack nrls capt oz. It is probably a warning for the nrl to know their place. Whatever to take down the nrl.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
7 do exactly the same with AFL. Australian TV is just lazy
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don't think this is character assasination at all. Smith made (in my opinion) an error of judgement on the field and that upset McKinnon. As is his right. I didn't hear McKinnon blaming Smith for the tackle or his situation. While I think Smith gets a bit grubby on the field, he always seems like a pretty good bloke off it. I have faith that he'll respond like a man. Own it and apologise. I hope that gives Alex some piece of peace of mind or closure.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Let me tell you a story about my only personal experience with Cameron Smith. Australia had just finished putting on a masterclass and trouncing New Zealand in the 2013 World Cup Final at Old Trafford. One of the greatest team performances you will ever see - the trophy had been lifted and the winners ceremony was over. It was freezing cold conditions and the temperatute must have been about 0 or 1 degrees maybe even lower.... 2 hours after the fulltime siren and Cameron Smith is still making his way around the stadium to every single fan that waited behind. The rest of the Australian team were in the sheds and the skipper was the last player doing the rounds trying to provide a signature or photo oppurtunity for everyone that waited behind. He finally left for the sheds and the only reason he did was because security had asked him too..... this is just my experience and from that I can only gather that Cameron Smith is a decent human being. The 60 minutes story was a ridiculous attack on his character, which hasn't changed my opinion of him and I hope it hasn't had too much of an impact on him or his family. That said, he has now boycotted channel 9 going forward as a result.... he has every right to be angry but I find this a little petulant. The opposing state skipper, Paul Gallen cops an attack on his character more than anyone else in the game with numerous attempts to tarnish his reputation - have a look at the back page up north before origin 2.... he just dusts his shoulder off and continues to tell it like it is and does his job. I would have rather seen Cameron do the same and just come out and tell his version of the truth rather than simply saying his going to boycott channel 9 which does absolutely nothing to dispell the picture thats been painted.
catcat
Roar Rookie
With TV shows and movies readily available online sport has become the jewel in the crown for FTA television. For reasons that no one understands channel 9 seem hell bent on cooking their golden goose "NRL" to death- standard definition, outdated commentary, controversial interviews etc. the NRL and its fans deserve so much more.