Storm skipper Cameron Smith on his future and winning back-to-back titles
HERALD SUN EXCLUSIVE: Storm skipper Cameron Smith opens up about his future at Melbourne, life after the big three and on the Storm’s chances of back-to-back titles.
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MELBOURNE Storm captain Cameron Smith wants to get through the early rounds before sitting down with club officials to discuss contract options.
Smith, 34, is still mindful of going on one year too long and it having an impact on the club’s ability to keep or recruit the next generation of talent.
Storm bosses have their work cut out for them this year with Smith, Billy Slater and premiership coach Craig Bellamy coming off contract.
“I don’t want to be taking up a place on our roster or salary cap and not really earning that spot,” Smith told the Herald Sun.
“My mindset coming into this year wasn’t about looking for a contract.
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“It was about getting ready for the start of the year and making sure that I start the year well, I know if I’m doing that I’m certainly helping the team get away to a good start.
“Once that happens, I’d be keen to sit down and discuss what the club’s thoughts are about me and moving into the future, whether it’s playing or not.”
There have been no official talks between Smith, or his management, and the club yet.
“We’ll probably look to get through the first four or six rounds and then see where I’m at with next year and where the club’s at,” Smith said.
“It’s their decision, so probably wait for them to give me an indication to what they’re thinking.”
In a wideranging interview with the Herald Sun, Smith said it would take 6-10 games for him to be convinced Storm has avoided a premiership “hangover”.
He also put on notice the club’s future, warning the likes of Cameron Munster, Felise Kaufusi, Suliasi Vunivalu, Curtis Scott and Josh Addo-Carr not to rest on premiership success.
“I think they got a few more levels in them … they need to want to improve,” Smith said.
“If you don’t want to help yourself, then it doesn’t matter how much coaching you get, it doesn’t matter how much advice you get … it won’t happen.
“They’ve just started their career and even though they’ve been able to win a premiership already … they can’t be content with ‘I’ve won a premiership’.
“If that’s the attitude then they won’t play too many more first grade games.
“Someone else will be there waiting to take their spot … but I’m confident, their attitude at training shows they’re keen to get better and still hungry to be involved and try and continue our success.”
SMITH ON ...
BAC K-TO-BACK TITLES
“It’d be in the back of everyone’s mind to be honest, although it’s not spoken about or something that’s presented in front of us as motivation, it’s certainly a big carrot dangling at the end for us.
“We believe if we play our best football we’re going to be very competitive come the end of the season.
“The test will come once the novelty of we’re back playing footy, it’s exciting, once that wears off after the first month that’s when we’ll see whether we’re genuine about trying to get another title.”
HANGOVER
“If you’re going to have a hangover or take the foot off the pedal it’s going to be in the preseason.
“That’s where all the hard work begins and that’s where it is easiest to take a shortcut or the easy option when you’re out there doing the running drills, the hard work that you’re not getting any reward for, there’s no game at the end of the week.
“I think that (Round 6-10) will be a good time to see how we’re travelling, because that’s when you’re right in the grind of the season.
“If we’re still performing consistently well at that stage I think that’s when I’ll be comfortable to say we’re on again this year.”
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Scott Drinkwater
“I’ve seen a big improvement in him from last year. I think he’s put a lot of work into his preseason this year both with his physical work and his footy work.
“He’s a naturally skilled type of guy, he reads the game well, he just knows the game and where to put himself on the field, he can play, he’s that versatile.
Billy Walters
“He’s just tough and that’s what Craig likes in his players, as do all of us.
“He doesn’t shirk any work that gets thrown his way, if he’s asked to play in a position that he hasn’t really done a lot of work in he’ll go and do it.”
LEADERSHIP
“I haven’t had too many thoughts about standing down or stepping aside, and I certainly haven’t had any discussions with Craig about me not being captain.
“If I ever felt that was the right thing to do I’d certainly do that, if that was the right thing for our team and our club, I’d have no issues doing that.”
LIFE AFTER COOPER
“I must admit, it’s a bit strange sometimes looking to my left where Cooper used to be and now Brodie’s there and sitting in his locker, and being out on the field and looking to my right and Brodie is calling for the ball.
“There’s still times on the field where I find myself still playing in a way that would suit ‘Coops’ or putting a ball somewhere where ‘Coop’ would usually be but Brodie’s not.
“That type of connection only comes over time, endless training sessions and games together that was quite unique for what everyone called the ‘Big Three’.
“Brodie has been really good. He works on every part of his game so he gives himself an opportunity on the weekend to be the very best he can.
“It’s going to take time for us to build a combination together, hopefully by that stage, round 8-10, we’ll have quite a seamless combination, understand how each other play and what strengths we have, we’ll complement each other.”
Originally published as Storm skipper Cameron Smith on his future and winning back-to-back titles