State of Origin 2016: Maroons skipper Cameron Smith hoping to play on until 2019

MAROONS skipper Cameron Smith has revealed he is in the best shape of his life and is considering extending his NRL and Origin career until 2019.

MAROONS skipper Cameron Smith has revealed he is in the best shape of his life and is considering extending his NRL and Origin career until 2019.

Smith will become Origin’s greatest servant on Wednesday night when he surpasses Darren Locker with his 37th appearance for the Maroons in the series opener at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

But in a major boost for the Storm, Queensland and Australia, Smith is in such peak physical and mental condition he believes he can play in the NRL beyond his 36th birthday.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Cameron Smith passes the ball during a Queensland Maroons State of Origin training session on May 29, 2016 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The Maroons champion is off-contract at the end of 2018, but says after 400 top-level games, his body is showing no signs of wear and tear.

While he concedes NRL veterans can hit the wall suddenly in their twilight years, Smith is open to signing one final 12-month deal if the Storm believe he can play on.

“To be honest, I haven’t felt this good physically and mentally in my whole career,” said Smith, who has played 320 NRL games, 44 Tests and 36 Origin matches since his Storm debut in 2002.

“I know there is always the risk of going one year too long. But if I’m feeling good and I can still contribute first and foremost to the Storm if they still want me, I’d have to consider it (playing in 2019). At this stage, it’s not something I would rule out.

“Whether rep footy is part of that (2019) season, who knows, but I’m feeling great.

“It’s harder to recover now, but how I feel on the training paddock, how I feel in games ... it’s the best I’ve felt my whole career.

“I know it sounds weird. Usually, you start to wane in your last few years and everything gets a bit harder, but I don’t feel like that.”

Queensland coach Kevin Walters believes Smith has the tactical acumen to one day coach the Maroons. But having watched his 32-year-old skipper in Origin camp during the past week, Walters cannot see a jaded veteran eyeing retirement.

“There will be lots of options for Cameron when he’s finished. If he wants to coach the Maroons, there would be a job here for him,” Walters said.

“But, honestly, he’s not thinking about giving it away any time soon. Being the dominant player he is, it wouldn’t surprise me if he played on which would be great.”

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MAY 29: Cameron Smith talks tactics with his team mates during a Queensland Maroons State of Origin training session on May 29, 2016 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Smith said his incredible durability and longevity can be traced to some home truths from Storm coach Craig Bellamy in his early years.

“I’ve been blessed in a way, not so much with my physique, but I’m quite flexible and durable,” he said.

“I don’t have the exact answer for why I feel so good at this age, I can take knocks in games and get up.

“The only thing I can think of and it’s something Craig Bellamy has drummed into me — the harder you train, the more you get out of yourself.

“I never leave anything up to luck. The harder you work the luckier you get. I don’t ever go into games just hoping something will go right for me.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2016: Maroons skipper Cameron Smith hoping to play on until 2019