Baffled Craig Bellamy hits out at Cameron Smith’s haters
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has come out in strong defence of captain Cameron Smith, with the Storm mentor perplexed as to why the NRL great continues to be slammed by the rugby league public.
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Show him some respect.
That was the demand issued by Craig Bellamy with the Melbourne Storm coach making a passionate plea for Cameron Smith’s long line of detractors to back off.
Fed up with the vitriol directed at his captain, Bellamy broke ranks ahead of the Storm’s sudden death showdown with the Roosters to defend Smith as both a person and a player.
The future immortal and icon of the game was cheered off the field last Saturday night – not when the Storm won, but when he was given 10 minutes in the sin bin.
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“The thing that disappoints me more than anything is the criticism Cameron gets,” Bellamy said.
“I can’t work out why he cops so much. He has never put a foot wrong off the field. It seems like they try and burn his character at times.
“That is very unfair. I think people should show him the respect he deserves.”
Arguably the best thinker in the game, Bellamy is not usually lost for answers.
But the mastercoach is left scratching his head when asked why Smith is perceived as an NRL villain.
“I don’t think he would be (the villain) if he had played 400 games in a rugby league state,’’ Bellamy said.
“I find it hard to believe that he is treated this way. I could understand if he had done the wrong thing off the field. He hasn’t. He has always done the right thing by the club and the game.’’
Smith’s biggest off-field controversy this year was not of his making.
The No.9 was dragged into a heated debate when NRL boss Todd Greenberg gifted his wife a ring as part of a celebration for his record breaking 400th game.
On the field, Smith has been criticised for both his tackling technique and relationship with referees.
Most notably Smith was hit with a “concerning act notice” from the NRL after what appeared to be a face rake on Bailey Simonsson during the Storm’s regular season loss to the Raiders.
Most now agree that Smith was pulling at the Canberra winger’s jersey.
Bellamy suggested Smith would be an NRL hero, loved and adored, if he played for a Sydney based team.
“It seems as though what he has done in the game has been taken for granted,’’ Bellamy said.
“He is not respected. He is used to (the criticism) it but it gets up my nose.’’
Whether you tolerate, dislike him or hate him, Smith is destined to go down as one of the game’s greatest players.
And the character controversy – as well as the all-conquering career - looks set to go on for at least another year with Bellamy predicting Smith will play on for at least one more year.
“I think he will go again,’’ Bellamy said.
“At the end of the day it has to be his decision. There is a deal here for him. I have no doubt he can continue. He has certainly been near his best this year.’’
Smith’s former Queensland and Australian teammate Johnathan Thurston backed Bellamy’s stance on Smith.
“He is a champion both on and off the field,’’ Thurston said.
“Anybody that knows him will tell you that. He gives everyone and anybody the time of day.
It doesn’t matter what you do or where you come from. He is very respectful.’’
One of rugby league’s most adored players, Thurston said he did not know what made him a
hero and his good mate Smith a villain.
Both Thurston and Smith hail from premiership-winning out-of-town teams and were part of
Queensland’s seven straight State of Origin wins.
“I guess that is what happens when you are the greatest: people just want to try and bring
you down,” Thurston said.
Originally published as Baffled Craig Bellamy hits out at Cameron Smith’s haters