Smith joins Melbourne Storm pre-season with 400 games in sight

Cameron Smith’s impasse with the Melbourne Storm is officially over, paving the way for the star hooker to become the first player to play 400 top grade games.

Cameron Smith has set his sights on bringing up 400 games with the Melbourne Storm this season. Picture: Getty Images

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Cameron Smith’s impasse with the Melbourne Storm is officially over, paving the way for the superstar to become the first player to play 400 top grade games.

Smith returned for a remarkable 18th pre-season when Melbourne resumed training last Thursday. It ended months of uncertainty surrounding Smith’s future after he threw everyone a curveball by hinting at retirement during Melbourne’s finals charge last year. Instead the 35-year-old was given an extended break including a family holiday to Port Douglas having enjoyed a rare off-season without international commitments.

Despite the delay, Storm officials were always confident there would be a resolution between the club and Smith.

Cameron Smith has set his sights on bringing up 400 games with the Melbourne Storm this season. Picture: Getty Images

Barring injury, Smith will now add to his long list of records. He already holds the most first grade games with 384, which means he is tracking to become the first player to crack the 400 mark when he plays arch rivals Cronulla in Melbourne in round 17.

Smith will also break Hazem El Masri’s record for most points in an NRL career. The goalkicking hooker sits 32 points behind the former Canterbury winger. El Masri has held the record since taking over from Andrew Johns in 2009.

Smith ended his representative career in 2017 as the second most capped Australian player and his 42 games for the Maroons sees him feature in more State of Origin games than anyone else.

Smith’s durability has been among his greatest assets, having featured in at least 20 games pre season since his first full year of first grade in 2003.

He played in all but one of the Storm’s 27 matches last year, including their premiership loss to the Sydney Roosters. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy spoke openly about his desire to retain Smith especially given the retirement of star fullback Billy Slater.

Smith turns 36 in June which sees him the second oldest player in the game behind Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen, who turns 38 in August.

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Originally published as Smith joins Melbourne Storm pre-season with 400 games in sight