Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith has reportedly agreed to terms to play an 18th NRL season with the Storm, which will see him pass 400 games provided the veteran stays uninjured.
Ahead of their preliminary final against Cronulla in Melbourne next Friday night, Smith has put pen to paper, according to News Corp Australia.
The 35-year-old made clear through the season his intentions to play on in 2019 but chief executive Dave Donaghy confirmed the parties had reached agreement on Thursday on a $1 million deal.
The Australian captain is the most capped NRL player of all time with 382 appearances – the new contract will allow him to play past the 400-game mark.
Smith retired from representative football in 2017, saying he wanted to focus on club football going forward.
The Storm are set to lose veterans Billy Slater and Ryan Hoffman, who will retire at season’s end, so Smith’s extension is timely.
If the Storm manage to beat Cronulla in one week’s time, they will qualify for their eighth grand final in 16 years. Smith has featured in each of those games, except for the 2008 decider where he was suspended.
Macka
Guest
If your boss paid you XXX$'s and somebody else offered you 15-20% more. for doing same job. WHO would you work for. DON'T blame the players. they just blokes bringing in the best money they can get For their families.
At work
Roar Rookie
Cameron Smiths legacy will be as the best hooker of all time, highest point t scorer, most games and the main instrument in steering Melbourne to be the most dominant team of the last decade. I hate the Storm and Queensland, but respect where it’s due. The bloke is a champion player.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
How much is Third party (Greenberg announced they were being phased out but of course this would be another backflip by NRL)- it was announced on Fox so I assume they are coughing up a chunk of it. Sounds like Inglis when he threatened to go to Essendon and blackmailed/forced the NRL to register his third party deals after he had taken money (and boats ) under the counter from the Storm in 2009
Taree Raider
Guest
Wasn't Cameron Smith on an extra million when they cheated the salary cap. He's taken a pay cut. I notice that not many fans care about what SMITH is doing. I also believe that no one want's to hear him banging on, on FOX after he retires. He is a grub of a player who will leave a legacy of being just that a GRUB. Its a shame because if he didn't have that Bellamy inspired behaviour in his game he would have been loved just like JT always will always be. Ditto for Billy 'grubby' Slater.
Rohan
Guest
He stays fit, which seems highly likely, passes the 400 game mark and will also become the highest points scorer in history. Amazing effort. Hopefully the NRL can try and get the fixturing right for the games record.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Maybe Smith will be the Storms hooker for 800 games. Cameron and Brandon. I hope the other Smith doesn't have the same impact it's starting to wear a bit thin.