It would seem as though the senior citizen discount is not far distant in the future of Cameron Smith, as he has tied the mark of Brisbane Broncos legend Darren Lockyer for the most games ever played in the NRL.
The NRL concluded its 2017 Premiership season with Round 26 and Smith played his 355th game of his career, tying Lockyer He started his NRL career in 2002 and has played for none other than the Melbourne Storm in its entirety, something that is almost as much of a rarity as is Smith’s longevity.
Melbourneenters the finals on Saturday with a qualifying final against the Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park that begins at 4:10 pm. They have indicated that despite the stakes of the game, they will fete Smith in a manner commensurate with the level of the achievement.
In remarks printed in the Herald Sun, Storm football director Frank Ponissi said, “Regardless of whether it is a final or no final, it is a very big occasion for Cameron and his family. We feel very privileged to be a part of it, so we’re going to enjoy the occasion and we’re certainly not going to treat it as low key.”
In addition to his NRL games played, Smith has played 42 as a Queensland representative, 50 on the international state and has four NRL All Stars to his credit.
Melbourne will be seeking a win in the quest to secure a home preliminary final and a week’s rest before advancing.
The Eels have other plans and finishing fourth on the list as they did, the Storm will not enter the game lightly and the 2017 NRL season proved beyond question that no side is invulnerable.
The Eels have a tall task just the same, as the Storm is at full strength and has the full list at its disposal. They finished the season on a positive note with a dominant performance in a 32 – 6 win when they hosted the Canberra Raiders Saturday night past.
