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NRL 2020: Cameron Smith ‘selfish’, risks becoming a ‘hypocrite’
Cameron Smith’s legacy is at stake as he mulls over his future and the wrong call could see his reputation damaged beyond repair.
James Matthey
news.com.au
25th August 2020
Cameron Smith runs the risk of being labelled “selfish” if he plays for Melbourne next year or a “hypocrite” if he switches clubs as the NRL veteran weighs up his future.
The 37-year-old is reportedly edging closer to announcing a decision about what he plans to do in 2021 after his contract with the Storm expires at the end of this season.
Smith is still the best player in the league and nobody doubts he could perform at the same, high level next year if he’s not ready to hang up the boots.
But if he stays in Melbourne, he will block the paths of up-and-coming hookers Brandon Smith and Harry Grant, which may convince the young guns to look elsewhere for more opportunities, robbing the Storm of long-term talent they could build the club around.
Speaking on NRL 360, rugby league reporter Paul Kent accused Smith of being “selfish” by delaying his decision, making it difficult for the Storm to plan for the future.
“He should make his mind up soon. I think he’s selfish,” Kent said.
“You’ve got two other players at the club whose immediate futures have a significant bearing on it.
“Melbourne have always been experts at handling their salary cap but this is throwing them right out because you’ve got three players all on significant money, who are trying to figure out what their futures look like.
“It all rests on one player. It should have happened ages ago.”
The Sydney Morning Herald reported yesterday it’s “highly unlikely” Smith will play for Melbourne next season and Channel 9’s Danny Weidler agrees, believing the veteran won’t want to be held responsible for the Storm losing Grant and Smith.
“Every indication I’m getting is, leaving the Storm seems to be what will happen,” Weidler said on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“He runs the risk of being branded selfish if he stays on with the Melbourne club and all of a sudden they lose a couple of 10-year potential players.
“I don’t think Cameron Smith would want that.”
There has been speculation Smith might join the Broncos to finish his career in his home state of Queensland, but Weidler said given Smith wasn’t overly supportive of longtime teammate Cooper Cronk leaving the Storm to join the Roosters in 2018, linking up with Brisbane would be problematic.
“Given he was critical of Cooper Cronk when he left the Storm for the Roosters, I don’t think he would want to be branded a hypocrite in any way,” Weidler said.
“I would be saying he’ll finish up at the Storm.”
Smith’s dad Wayne told The Courier Mail he thinks his son will retire, because being a one-club player was important to him.
Many expected Smith to have made a call by now and the longer it drags on, the more uncertainty he creates.
Kiwi Test rake Brandon Smith is contracted until the end of 2022 but has told Melbourne if his captain plays on next season, he will seek a release from his deal.
Grant is on loan at Wests Tigers for this season but has said he wants to return to Melbourne next year. However, coming back to Victoria may be less appealing if he knows his path to the No. 9 jersey will be blocked by Smith for another season.