AFL legends welcome Melbourne Storm superstar Cameron Smith into the 400 Club
Four AFL legends entered the inner sanctum of Melbourne Storm to welcome the newest member of their club — Cameron Smith, who will become the first NRL player to reach the 400-game milestone.
Mark Robinson
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mark Robinson. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Kevin Bartlett delivered the solemn sermon and Michael Tuck delivered the gags.
Who would thought? But that’s what happened in Melbourne Storm’s inner sanctum on Monday — in the tea room to be precise — when KB and Tucky spoke about the remarkable achievement of Cameron Smith reaching 400 NRL games.
Dustin Fletcher and Brent Harvey were also there to welcome the newest arrival to the 400 Club — be it from another code.
McGUANE: ROOS MUST STOP HORSING AROUND
COACHING GAMES: BOOMER AXING START OF SCOTT’S DEMISE
It was a rare and touching occasion.
It’s hard to image what Smith’s gathered teammates — some nearing 120kg and most, on game day at least, with the attitude of a disgruntled Cape buffalo — would think of this ageing and scrawny crew from the AFL.
But in this world of elite sport, it’s not about looks.
It’s about respect and reputation.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST
When it was announced “Boomer” Harvey had played 432 games, Tucky 426, KB 403 and Fletch 400, whistles of wonderment could be heard.
For Cam Smith, who has been the greatest rugby league player on the planet and still its most respected, he was like a seven-year-old starting at Auskick.
As much as Melbourne has embraced and admired Smith, the Storm great has embraced and admired the AFL — particularly his beloved Hawks.
“This could be a photo on the front page ... that’s awesome,’’ Smith said with his customary smile beaming from ear to ear.
“When the four boys came in today ...
“To have legends like KB and Tucky — and I didn’t get the opportunity to see those two boys play — but certainly Fletch and Boomer, I’ve seen a lot of their games, for those legends to give up their time, four 400-gamers to come have a photo with me, I was chuffed.
“To have them here with me to share the week with me is bloody great.’’
Smith was besotted with Tucky.
“I’m aware of his standing in the game,” he said.
“He won multiple premierships. How many?”
Seven premierships and played in 11 Grand Finals.
“I’ve got a few to go and I don’t think I’m going to catch him.”
Smith would be one of the most humble, unaffected and respectful sporting great in Australian sport, if not world sport.
As he joins the 400 Club and becomes forever linked with the four AFL greats, there’s another AFL player with striking similarities.
He is Luke Hodge.
Smith is 185cm and weighs 89kg. Hodge is 185cm and weighs 91kg.
Smith plays hooker, which means he dictates play from the hit up.
Hodge plays halfback has orchestrated the game for 18 years,
Both are lads in the truest sense. They are laid back and like a beer and draw people to them. On the field, they inspirational and aspirational leaders.
And don’t they love the look of the five o’clock shadow.
“He just looks unfazed, calm and is always in control of the situation in a game that is played at a frenetic pace,” Hodge told the Herald Sun.
“Tough and durable, he’s not the biggest guy but never misses a game and never backs down from a contest.”
To see Storm’s inner circle is to see the reverence in which Smith is held.
“As you get older and older, and you move away from sport,’’ Barlett told the team, “you can always say, ‘I was there at Melbourne Storm when Cam Smith played his 400th game’. That’s going to be a huge thrill for everyone connected to this football club.
“His name can never be erased and the fact you’re his teammate is going to something that will live long in your memory.’’
He spoke of how milestone games can break down barriers.
“When I started playing there were only three or four players who had played 300 games ... then everyone started to break the record,” he said.
“When I played my 400th game, I believed it would give other players the opportunity to play longer and they can set a new mark.
“At the moment there are only four of us, but I’m certain more will come in the future. That will inspire a lot of kids out there and I’m certain that will happen with Cam.”
Tucky, who is not a renowned after-dinner speaker, presented Smith with his 41st year Hawthorn member’s scarf and then took the piss in a typical locker room take down.
And Smith’s teammates lapped it up.
He reckoned the only reason Smith was able to play for so long was because he avoided the heavy lifting.
At kick off, as his teammates ran down field to tackle, Smith would only pick up the kicker’s tee, throw it to the young ball kids, who were often his own kids at home games, smile, pat them on the head and then leisurely trot down to join the play.
He reckoned Smith had the easy job, always hiding behind the hit-up guy.
And he reckoned Smith would watch his teammate bash and crash through tackles and score a try, only to see Smith then waltz in to kick the conversion.
“He always wants the publicity,” Tuck said.
The tea room was in stitches.
“I was watching a game on TV and they said, and I find it hard to believe, but they said you had had 45 tackles.
“Then I started to really watch the game and I realised how Cam had 45 tackles. All you big blokes get them on the ground and then Cam comes over and jumps on.’’
The place erupted.
Accepting the scarf, the Storm legend was back being the six-year-old.
“I will keep that forever. It’s a bit overwhelming for me this milestone.
“I’m aware there has to be some sort of acknowledgment, but to be in the company of four of the greatest players in the history of the game, to be standing here next to you guys, that’s petty cool.”
Champions speak the same dialect.
It’s not about their moments of greatness or achievement — that’s for us to salivate — no, they speak about the hard yards, about others and about the team.
Smith was no different.
“For every game I’ve played, I have had to put in a week of really hard work,” he said. “It hasn’t all of sudden come about, 400 games. It’s been a lot of hard work and perseverance, resilience and effort.
“And obviously the overriding factor is enjoyment and being around my really good mates here.
“It’s a great story for rugby league to have a 400-gamer. It’s even better for Melbourne Storm to have a 400-gamer.
“It’s our 21st year, that’s the thing I’m pleased about. Not so much that it’s me, but our club to have the first person.”
In the clubs auditorium, every player and staff member gathered for a private celebration, which included club founder John Ribot.
Speeches were made and videos were played. Of his first game. Of his first TV interview (more laughs). Of a smashing career representing Storm, Queensland and Australia over 17 seasons.
Despite all the premierships, coach Craig Bellamy’s said this game — Smith’s 400th against Cronulla on Saturday — would be the biggest game in the club’s history.
Chief executive David Donaghy agreed. “It’s not just another game,” Donaghy said.
“I’m not sure what drives him, but we’re incredibly thankful and grateful what he’s done for our footy club. Sport loves heroes and for us he’s a hero.”
Bellamy, who is the cantankerous coach on game day, said he loved his skipper.
“He’s an example of a guy who is persevered, worked hard or got his just rewards,” he said. “There’s so many wonderful traits about him, it’s hard to go into them all.
“There’s been a lot of ups and downs. A lot of times we’ve had to batten down the hatches and stick together, so, yeah, I love him.”
‘In games we give up’: Flag hero savages Dons as board war looms
‘We are no longer feared, we’re certainly not respected’ – Essendon premiership player Paul Weston has had enough. He tells MARK ROBINSON exclusively about his plan for change.
‘We’ve got champions who are zombies’: Mitchell’s plea for help
Last Monday, at just 58, Barry Mitchell was lying in Epworth Hospital wondering if the game he loves had almost killed him again. This is his confronting story the footy world needs to hear.