Cameron Smith shoulder injury ends 2319-day run of NRL games for Melbourne Storm
These are the remarkable figures that prove Cameron Smith is the NRL’s resident ironman, after his busted shoulder ended a stunning run of good health.
Teams
Don't miss out on the headlines from Teams. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Cameron Smith’s extraordinary durability and resilience has finally been revealed – he will miss his first game through injury this weekend in six years, four months and five days.
That’s 2319 days.
And the major winner in Smith’s shock withdrawal will be Melbourne’s next opponents – the luckless Canterbury.
Smith has not withdrawn from a game through injury since March 29, 2014, coincidentally against the Bulldogs, in Perth.
On that night, Smith was a late withdrawal after suffering back spasms in the warm-up. With their key playmaker absent, Melbourne was whacked 40-12.
Kayo is your ticket to the 2020 NRL Telstra Premiership. Every game of every round Live & On-Demand with no-ad breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Smith, 37, went down with a shoulder injury against Newcastle on Sunday and could miss up to three games after being diagnosed with a low-grade AC joint complaint.
Despite 423 NRL appearances, 42 Origin games for Queensland and 56 Test matches since his Storm debut in 2003, Smith has missed only 11 games throughout his career due to injury, suspension and being rested, according to Fox Sports Lab.
That means Smith has played more than 97 per cent of his possible NRL games.
“That’s remarkable, unbelievable stuff,” former NSW captain and coach Laurie Daley said. “His durability – it’s like nothing we have seen before.
“He is a legend of the game. It was inevitable at some stage he had to miss a game through injury but it’s taken a long time for that to happen – a very, very long time.
“Cam has broken all types of records. Not many players have been able to do what he has achieved.”
It is an unbelievably lucky break for Canterbury, a team that could use some good fortune, and who travel to the Sunshine Coast to play a Storm side without Smith on Saturday afternoon.
Smith, who retired from representative football last year, has not missed a game since he was suspended for the round 11 match against Manly in 2018 in which the Storm were beaten 24-4 at home. The previous year he missed four club games through Origin and being rested.
Throughout 2016, Smith missed one Storm game through Queensland selection, the same in 2015. In round four, 2014, Smith was ruled out though injury.
“He turns up every week,” fellow hooking great Ben Elias said. “His durability is underrated, he a phenomenon. Cam has it all, he is an extraordinary player.
MORE NRL NEWS
NRL 2020: Cowboys’ Peter Parr responds to Todd Payten decision
NRL 2020: Luke Brooks has never played finals football
Melbourne Storm signs Ricky Leutele on NRL contract
“Everyone just expects him to be there each week. And let’s not forget the representative games he has also played. He’s broken all statistical records — this doesn’t surprise me.
“I was only watching him on the weekend and thinking about Melbourne and how they would be without Cam Smith and Craig Bellamy. What will Melbourne be like? How do you replace them?”
Sunday’s game was only the second time in Smith’s marathon career where he couldn’t complete at least 40 minutes. In fact, his 28-minute stint was the least amount of game time he has ever played.
Originally published as Cameron Smith shoulder injury ends 2319-day run of NRL games for Melbourne Storm