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.
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