Melbourne Storm joins Logan Brothers to mourn Cameron Smith’s late mum Sonia

More than 800 players wore black armbands at the weekend to honour of Cameron Smith’s mother Sonia, who is a life member of Logan Brothers.

NRL legend Cameron Smith with his mum Sonia and dad Wayne after playing his 350th game in 2017. Picture: Getty Images

Logan Brothers Rugby League Club has paid tribute to the mother of the club’s most famous son, Cameron Smith.

Sonia Smith, often referred to as the Mother of the Club, died from an aneurysm on July 24. She was 66.

Her death comes as her son looks certain to be elevated to Immortal status - one of the game’s highest individual honours - which could come later this month after a change in rules.

She was made a life member of Logan Brothers where she was a well-loved regular, watching her grandchildren play, even after her NRL legend son moved to Melbourne to join the Storm in 2002.

More than 800 players wore black armbands at all club matches on the weekend with a minute of silence in her honour before each game across the southeast.

Logan Brothers Club president Duane Antcliff said Mrs Smith’s death had cast a shadow over the club, where she was a cherished figure.

“Life members are usually the salt of the earth people who give their lives to something that’s important in their lives,” he said.

“It’s very obvious that Sonia was one of those ladies and deserves the accolades given to her contribution to Logan Brothers and the sport of rugby league.”

Sonia Smith was a life member of the Logan Brothers Club, where her famous NRL son Cameron started as a junior. Picture: Contributed

Family and the league community gathered on Friday at Newhaven Crematorium at Stapylton to pay their final respects.

Melbourne Storm also paid homage to Mrs Smith.

“Sonia will be missed by the entire Storm family and will be remembered for her unwavering support of Cameron and our club,” the club said.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with Cameron, Barb and the entire family at this time.”

For more than 40 years, Mrs Smith and husband Wayne lived in their Marsden home where their son grew up playing footy in the backyard.

Last year, they sold that house and Wayne Smith now lives in Redland while his daughter Khirstie and son Matt still call Logan home.

NRL legend Cameron Smith with his mother Sonia.

Smith played hooker, five-eighth for Logan Brothers and after scoring 188 points for the Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup he moved up to the NRL with the Melbourne Storm, where he played a record 430 games.

Smith has been retired for three seasons.

The NRL has recently revised rules to add to the Immortals with players only having to be retired for three seasons instead of the previous five.

Those to have been given Immortal status are: Clive Churchill, Bob Fulton, Reg Gasnier, John Raper, Graeme Langlands, Wally Lewis, Arthur Beetson, Andrew Johns, Dave Brown, Frank Burge, Mal Meninga, Dally Messenger and Norm Provan.

Originally published as Melbourne Storm joins Logan Brothers to mourn Cameron Smith’s late mum Sonia