Jeremy Smith set to play 200th career NRL game with the Newcastle Knights

AS NRL veteran Jeremy Smith prepares for his 200th career match today, arguably the greatest coach in the game heaped praise on the man who was instrumental in winning the 2010 grand final for the Dragons.

Newcastle Knights Jeremy Smith with his four children at Balance Oval in Newcastle. Cali - 2yrs J.J. - 3yrs - (Boy) Evie - 4yrs Marly - 10yrs

WAYNE Bennett calls them the players you build clubs around.

Not because they can bury rival teams with their brilliance or dazzle fans with fancy footwork. They may not even be your matchwinners or glamour stars.

“No, they’re the players you never have to get ready to play because they’re always ready,” the mastercoach says.

The Knights’ Jeremy Smith with his four children in Newcastle.

“There’s no bullshit with them. They love the contest, love the challenge.

“They’re the type of player that, as a coach, you can’t get enough of what they bring.”

Jeremy Smith is a poster boy for Bennett’s group.

The veteran Newcastle forward, who at 36 is the oldest player in the NRL, plays his 200th game when his Knights meet Manly today.

Plenty of players have reached the milestone quicker. Plenty have been a lot younger when they got there.

Few have been as influential on their teammates or the clubs they have played with.

Rooster Jake Friend is tackled by Newcastle's Jeremy Smith. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“You can’t measure what someone like Jez brings to the table,” Knight coach Nathan Brown says.

“It’s the influence he has, the respect he commands, the example he sets to be followed. All of those things.

“Probably the greatest plaudit I can give him is that Wayne, a coach who has won seven premierships, has wanted to take Jez with him wherever he has coached. That says a fair bit, I would have thought.”

Bennett had Smith at the Dragons and the Knights. He might have taken him to Brisbane too if he could have fitted him in.

“He’s one of the guys who I really enjoyed coaching. I loved what he brought,” Bennett said.

“A committed bloke, a great team-orientated fella who is ­always trying to do his best for you.

“A real man’s man. Tough, competitive — a never-give-up attitude.”

Jeremy Smith in action for the Dragons during their 2010 grand final win over the Roosters.

Bennett credits Smith with keeping the Dragons in the 2010 grand final against the Sydney Roosters when plenty of his teammates were struggling in the second half.

“He carried us for 40 minutes that day,” Bennett said. “He kept us in that game. ”

Smith will be 37 next season but Brown says it is not out of the question he could go around for another year.

“He has been great for all our young blokes and the birth certificate is irrelevant,” Brown said. “I’ve spoken to Jez and he has told me he wants to make sure he retires on his terms.

“When the time is right, he will know where his body is at better than anyone.”

The 22-Test Kiwi international is not interested in too big a fuss being made about his 200th game, saying: “It’s pretty much a game I’ll treat like any other.”

Originally published as Jeremy Smith set to play 200th career NRL game with the Newcastle Knights