‘Delusional’ Smith slammed over future, claims of media’s anti-Storm conspiracy
NRL360 co-host Paul Kent has given the Melbourne Storm a reality check over comments made by their skipper Cameron Smith.
The veteran hooker claimed in a Fairfax interview that “outside noise” from the Sydney media got to the Storm in their bid to claim last year’s grand final.
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The Storm’s defensive tactics were brought into focus by a dossier produced by now departed Souths boss Shane Richardson.
It came on the back of a spiteful Storm-Rabbitohs clash at the Central Coast Stadium, where Melbourne escaped sanctions for some questionable wrestling manoeuvres.
Smith claimed that it was the same old story this time around, with the veteran suggesting that the furore over Max King’s hip drop tackle and the future of both himself and coach Craig Bellamy being published in an attempt to destabilise the Storm.
He suggested that was the reason the Storm fell just short, losing the preliminary final to the Roosters who went on to win the competition last time out.
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But that was rebuffed by Kent on NRL360, who suggested that Melbourne needed to toughen up.
“I don’t think they live in the real world, Melbourne,” Kent said.
“I think they’ve been fortunate that they live in Melbourne, which is an AFL town and they don’t get the rugby league coverage the Brisbane Broncos get, or the Wests Tigers get, or the Canterbury Bulldogs get.
“When they do get a little bit of media attention – and legitimate, warranted media attention last year – that they can’t handle, then it’s on them.
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“Cameron said in the interview today, for example, was that there was no time frame set, that he hoped to speak to Craig Bellamy at some point in the year about what would happen about his future but they never got around to it. Well we know for a fact that Craig Bellamy did ask him and Cameron laughed it off and said ‘I haven’t made a decision yet’.
“Craig Bellamy went to him and tried to get an idea of what he was thinking and he put it this way, to not insult him, ‘we need to know what you’re doing because if this is going to be your last year, we want to celebrate it properly’. Cameron laughed it off and walked away. So I would call that a fib.
“The other thing that they complained about was the campaign they say get brought up every year by Sydney media. Is it the chicken or the egg? Do tackles pick up at certain times of the year? Or does the media campaign? You can argue it both ways.”
Smith also addressed his own playing future in interview. The 37-year-old hooker is yet to make a decision on whether he plays on in 2021.
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Off contract, Smith has been linked with moves to the Titans and Broncos.
He could also retire from the game or stay with the Storm.
It’s a difficult situation for Melbourne to navigate given they have rising hooker Harry Grant and Kiwi Test hooker Brandon Smith itching to take over the veteran rake’s role on a permanent basis.
Kent said Smith was being dishonest about his future and said there was no way that the younger hookers dared hurry the former Australian captain for a decision.
“The other thing he brought up too, and said that it wasn’t a distraction, was that Harry Grant and Brandon Smith, neither of them have come up to him and asked him what he is doing next year so therefore it’s not been a distraction for them,” Kent added.
“In what world would Harry Grant with all 15 games behind him walk up and say ‘for heaven’s sake Cameron, tell me what you’re doing so I can sort my future out!’
“Please, it’s delusional. Even Brandon Smith – Brandon Smith has not got the gumption to walk up to Cameron and say, ‘mate can you hurry up and make a decision so I can figure out what I’m doing?’ His manager has come out and said if Cameron plays on they might seek a release, Harry Grant has got a clause in his contract saying he can seek a release.
“So, if you’re going to do an interview, be honest.”
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