Matty Johns: Why Cameron Smith steals GOAT crown from my brother
Wally Lewis, Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith are on par as far as influence and dominance. But it’s one attribute that sets the Storm legend apart from my brother and The King, MATTY JOHNS writes.
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About every three or four years I write or say something which makes me extremely unpopular at family gatherings.
Here goes again ... Cameron Smith is the greatest rugby league player of all time.
Let me explain further, I put Wally Lewis, Andrew Johns and Smith on par as far as influence and dominance.
But I put Smith No.1 on the fact he’s dominated every level of the game for such a very long time.
The longer you play, the harder it is to keep that dominance, but Smith still remains that dominant player.
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In 2006 I saw him take the mantle of the competition’s most influential player, winning his first Dally M Medal — in 2020, at 37 years of age, he still holds that mantle.
He led Queensland to unparalleled State of Origin success and the moment he quit, NSW have taken the whip hand.
Blues assistant coach Greg Alexander on hearing of Smith’s sudden retirement from Origin just before the 2018 series, punched the air in delight.
The Storm have been the team of the last decade and a half. This Sunday will be Melbourne’s ninth grand final appearance since 2006. Smith has missed only one — 2008 — they lost 40-0 to Manly.
Cameron isn’t a YouTube player. In sport, a YouTube player is someone who when you clip up a highlights package of their careers, it’s full of flicks, tricks, miracle plays and acts of incredible athleticism.
For the most part these highlight reels present a lie.
They create an impression of influence and dominance which doesn’t exist. The errors, the flaws and the mediocrity are on the cutting room floor.
Smith’s legacy is winning, and teams winning at every level under his leadership.
He sets the tempo, knowing when to hit the accelerator, when to apply the brakes. He finds the right play at the most crucial time in the biggest games.
The long kick to pin the opposition near their own try-line. The clever short kick to get a repeat set.
Jumping out of dummy-half and using skill and know-how getting his forwards one-on-one tackles.
Or chasing down Nic Cotric and pulling him down before the tryline. Only the last Friday night’s Cotric tackle would be a YouTube moment, and even then registering little interest from those who don’t understand the game.
Some players come on the scene with a thunderclap and are gone almost as quickly.
Smith’s been here for the long haul and just keeps winning.
The Storm have lost many extremely high quality players — Israel Folau, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater amongst others — but their dominance continues because Smith remains.
He’s an elusive guy who rarely lets his guard drop.
The best evidence being, how he disguises the fire that burns in his belly. All champions have it, it’s the most crucial part of their make-up.
Andrew Johns had it, you saw it every time he played. Joey wore it on his sleeve, at times it was volcanic. You saw when he picked up and drove front-rowers into the turf.
You saw it when he celebrated after scoring a crucial try, kicking an important goal.
You saw it when he’d sledge an opponent as he ran past them, and as he’d collect a trophy or man of the match award, with an ‘eat shit’ smile.
But Smith keeps it hidden away discreetly, a bit like his athleticism.
Over 500 top level games, in which he’s played 80 minutes in almost every one. In those games you could count his injuries on one hand, yet he has the body of a librarian.
No one who has played as long and has been as dominant as Smith has a normal competitive nature.
Last year I interviewed Smith for my podcast. During an interview you probe, prodding, looking for the person to show their true personality, to allow the mask to drop.
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I discovered how difficult it must be for defenders. I’d come at Cameron at a certain angle, he’d shift the conversation to another. I’d push, he’d pull. I’d press forward, he’d skip back.
A player once told me defending against Smith is like tackling water. I get that.
Yet during my interview the mask dropped momentarily, which showed me the drive and competitor he is.
I asked him about the period where Craig Bellamy took over as NSW Origin coach, but failed to emulate his success at club level, beaten by a champion Queensland team.
“Given your close relationship with Craig, was it difficult to walk back into training after those games and see him so devastated?” I asked.
Cameron replied: “No, because I wanted him to know what it was like to coach against me.”
Smith could play until he’s 40.
I spoke to him this week during a cameo appearance on the Johns family podcast, about factors which will form his decision.
Smith knows he can continue to play, but there’s a shift in priorities: children getting older, having their own goals and helping them achieve those dreams.
My gut feel after the interview is that he’ll retire. What else is there to prove.