While Cameron Smith says he is still pondering his playing future, Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy admits he was initially “blind” to the true difficulty of replacing his long-time leader.
With three weeks to go until NRL Round 1, 37-year-old Smith hasn’t ruled out playing on.
He told a lunch function in Queensland on Friday he remained undecided – the first time he’s spoken publicly about his future since December.
“I don’t know… I still have a big decision to make,” Smith said.
Bellamy spoke to Smith on Friday morning and at the announcement of the Storm’s new co-captains – with Dale Finucane and Jesse Bromwich sharing the leadership in the 2021 season – also said the door was still ajar to Smith playing on.
Set up with his family on the Gold Coast, Melbourne aren’t expecting Smith to return, while Brisbane appear the front-runners if he chooses to play on after Gold Coast bowed out.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“It’s looking more and more unlikely that he’s going to play but I don’t know that so we’re just trying to prepare for this season with the players we’ve got,” Bellamy said.
Having had Smith by his side for the past 18 seasons, Bellamy felt a little lost at the start of the 2021 pre-season.
Though he has his new leaders nailed down, Bellamy said there was a lot more to replacing Smith after 430 games as the Storm look to back up their 2020 premiership.
“I don’t think people realise just how much we’re going to miss Cameron,” Bellamy said.
“People think of him as the best dummy half there’s ever been so we’re going to miss him there, but then, he’s our goal kicker, our captain – there’s so many things you don’t really realise what he does and how well he does them that we’ve got to make up for.
“Even I was a little bit blind to that at the start of the pre-season.”
Harry Grant and Brandon Smith are tussling to wear Smith’s number nine jersey, which is another adjustment for Bellamy during the pre-season.
Halves Jahrome Hughes or Cameron Munster are likely to take on the goal-kicking duties.
“Just having Harry and Brandon and how they fitted into the team and when the halves wanted the ball and the ruck and whatever,” Bellamy said.
“Cameron has been such a great player, captain, great goal-kicker for so long that we have to work hard to make up for it this year.”
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Tony, I've read quite a few of the comments on this thread, and I reckon you've got it right. Sorry to wake you up.
Dirk Diggler
Roar Rookie
Don't read too much into the time its taking for the decision- we know he's definately not playing at the Storm. Maybe what goes missing in all of the discussion is how competitive he is and probably would have re-signed with the Storm if they didn't have a SOO player in the wings and the risk the club could lose two players shows how selfless the decision is. I'd love to see him go around again with the Titans I think it would be fantastic for rugby league, and the Titans long suffering fans. I don't share the view that he automatically makes them a Top 4 team- what if the weight of expectation is too much and they fall flat? How boring would league be without the will he/won't he discussion going on
mushi
Roar Guru
I'd love a wrestling outcome. Grand final day. Storm playing [insert your most hated team here]. Only 16 players run out for the opponent before the anthem. But before all Australians can rejoice in the only modern use of girt a different tune breaks out. Rabs: wait is that Cam Smith's music Gould:no no no no Then Smith erupts from the enemy mascot's suit hits Bellamy with a chair before running over to chest bump and hug his new team mates whilst laughing maniacally
mushi
Roar Guru
The sharks have a few to sell, surely they just get him to pick one off the plan
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I don't get how he is starting to make problems. If him not committing by now is an issue for a team, then they've failed by not putting a time limit on their offer and planning without him.
Randy
Roar Rookie
and the complete yobbo's who read such media and think Smith has personally wasted their time
jeff
Guest
smith has been well paid for his efforts he owes the fans of the game not the other way around if not for the fans he has nothing it amuses me how he never complains about the journos while they have been pumping his tyres up for the last decade selling the myth that hes the greatest player we have ever seen i rate beetson sterling johns lockyer lewis thurston in front of smith and the smile on his face is that of an arrogant smug prima donna happy to use the microphone and papparazi to promote his book and im guessing he gets paid to appear at these luncheons stringing it out to keep himself relevance and keep milking the game that has given him so much
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Coach is too busy looking for a unit in the Shire
Texasman
Roar Rookie
Agree. He was pissed when Cronk left and now wants to direct Harry round the park like Cronk did Keary in the GF. Origin fill-in makes sense too.
RoryStorm
Guest
I doubt Cameron would consider playing for anyone but the Storm. The agony of all Storm supporters when Cronk signed with the Roosters and guiding them to two premierships which could possibly have been the Storms. Nope, I think he will be a one club player, otherwise his statue will be torn down and thrown into the Ysrrs.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
20 days to kickoff and no retirement or move elsewhere? Coach acting like a cutie pie? He's playing.
Hawks12
Guest
Will be signed by broncs by mid week. Have close sources saying he will have special conditions around how many times he comes up from the coast for training. Will call the shots and have a big part in Turpin development. He just enjoying riding the media at the moment. Him and Kevin sitting back smiling .
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Good HY .Great to see your in the know.Now can you email the GOAT and suggest he tell the rest of us.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
The last time I saw such breathless anticipation was when we were given day by day reports about the progress towards Oz by the Beatles. I doubt that the public will respond in the same way.
MUCK
Guest
You got Big Daddy , sign for The Broncs and make that childhood dream come true Smithy . Drive The Kinga to training each day , tallie between the legs on the way home . Dreams can come true Smithy , you just have turn up and ask if you can have run. Ill be happy if you can only play home games until the finals ...
andrew
Roar Rookie
Probably will Big Daddy, Broncos couldn't even beat Wynnum in the trial last night.
Daeman
Guest
And if he signs at the broncos and doesn't drag the whole team to a premiership single handedly they'll brand him a fraud, has-been or something else equally unflattering.... If there's on thing certain in all of this, it's that no mater what smithy does, it'll be the wrong decision according to the sporting press.
Big Daddy
Guest
MUCK, you got it right. Who really cares at the moment. If he plays on at the Storm they'll say he's keeping a young guy out. If he retires there'll be people saying he should keep going. Make it simple sign for the Broncos. :happy: :thumbup:
Tony
Roar Guru
Nothing more boring for mine
MUCK
Guest
Keep it up Smithy , I think its great . I hope this drags on until the GF with the media still speculating and guessing everytime you go for a coffee in a different coloured shirt. Lets face it , the RL media are clueless , making up 3/4 of their stories in the hope one will pan out and Smithys lil game shows it and just how desperate they are to be the one to get it right first. Im not sure why either , it doesnt seem to matter if their news is true or not just as long as they fill the page. Anyway , I have it on very good authority Smithy is having a well earned rest and will be running out in Round 1 as The Broncos new Capt.