Cameron Smith to retire from Rep Footy - Immediately

[Renegade]

If he'd made his mind up last year, everyone would have been jumping on him saying he should wait and see how he feels this year. It seems no matter when or how he announced this decision, people were gonna whinge about it.

I think people would've whinged about him not wanting to play without Thurston or Cronk, but at least comparative to this, would've been ok with it. He could've framed it easily as I've done this since 2003, time to give back to the Storm etc.

Doing it 3 weeks before an origin series starts is just shithouse timing. Locky never did that...

 

[CaptainHook]

No. No one is disrespecting what he has given. But to come out and say he knew last year he couldn't go around again only to drop this info 3 weeks out is shit, and I'm calling it for what it is. You can do whatever you want.

I believe he's earned the right to pull the pin however he chooses. Even if it was 5 minutes before the kick off to game One.

I guess people bagging him have never committed to something with the best intentions and circumstances have changed and they've had to withdraw...is it lonely up there on that perch?

He's missing out on the best part of a hundred grand by not participating this year. He's also not contracted to the Queensland team - it's representative football. He is to the Storm though and he has every right to put them first.

After 42 games of service he doesn't owe Kevvie, QLD, the fans anything. I think he said it was waking up after the Titans game sore that finally cemented his decision.

It's probably for the best. If you're pulling up sore against the Titans the game is probably passing you by.

I can do whatever I want? Thanks mate. Glad I have your permission.

As for Kevvie and QLD management - if they're truly surprised then it's amateur hour. This day has been coming for a while.

 

[Alec]

It would be great if he still came to camp and helped McCullough work on his attacking game as much as possible. It's probably unlikely because Storm would still play games, but that would be pretty awesome.

 

[Harry Sack]

It would be great if he still came to camp and helped McCullough work on his attacking game as much as possible. It's probably unlikely because Storm would still play games, but that would be pretty awesome.

I'd almost guarantee that he will tbh. I'd be surprised if he completely steps back.

I got the impression Kevie had an idea it was coming tbh. Mal certainly did.

 

[Alec]

I'd almost guarantee that he will tbh. I'd be surprised if he completely steps back.

I got the impression Kevie had an idea it was coming tbh. Mal certainly did.

More than one or two sessions, attack is something you've really gotta drill into McCullough's brain for days and days.

 

[mitch222]

Personally for captaincy I would put the (c) on Slater if he is going to play this series. If not, its the perfect time to get a long term option under the way like Morgan

 

[Harry Sack]

Personally for captaincy I would put the (c) on Slater if he is going to play this series. If not, its the perfect time to get a long term option under the way like Morgan

Yeah, I think you give it to someone like Slater, Scott, Inglis etc and name a VC from the new blood.

 

[john1420]

So you have already conceded and have pictured the headlines? Maybe you should take a deep breath.

I normally like your posts @Accept, so instead of having a go at you, I'll give the benefit of the doubt and assume you missed the word "if" at the start of my sentence

 

[Porthoz]

I think people would've whinged about him not wanting to play without Thurston or Cronk, but at least comparative to this, would've been ok with it. He could've framed it easily as I've done this since 2003, time to give back to the Storm etc.

Doing it 3 weeks before an origin series starts is just shithouse timing. Locky never did that...

This is undoubtedly true, but most of the reactions on this board are knee-jerk reactions to the Storm player they hate, as opposed to the great Qld servant he has been.

I don't like the timing either, but I do believe he's doing what is in both his and Qld best interests, and I'm sure this has been well and truly discussed at length with Kevvie.
As I said before, I think this series will be the major transition from a legend team to the new generation, and it's better to go through some short pain now, than to prolong it by removing the most influential player in the Qld team next season instead of this.

I hope he will be a part of the camp to guide his replacement and help him settle into the team.

 

[Sproj]

While the timing could be taken as poor, you could definitely read into it that he has tried to shield his replacement as long as possible and probably told Kevvie quite a while ago, maybe even last year floated as a possibility, hence Macca being bought into camp.

 

[MrTickyM]

What difference does it make 3 weeks out, 3 months out or a year out? It’s not like they could have scoured all of Queensland looking for the best hooker to replace smith. The conversation still would have centred around McCullough, Granville and Friend and would still have come down to form. Do they do an off-season Origin camp that has been missed? Talk about an overreaction on here!

 

[Super Freak]

Kevvie certainly makes it sound like that Smith hasn't had any conversations with him about the possibility of retiring prior to being told by Smith last week.

 

[Dexter]

What difference does it make 3 weeks out, 3 months out or a year out? It’s not like they could have scoured all of Queensland looking for the best hooker to replace smith. The conversation still would have centred around McCullough, Granville and Friend and would still have come down to form. Do they do an off-season Origin camp that has been missed? Talk about an overreaction on here!

They may not go with a genuine 9, they could have possibly played with some different ideas around a seven playing hooker but if they had more time Kevvie could have put more thought into who to replace him with whoever best suits QLD. Also could have let the next potential goal kicker have a bit of a heads up.

 

[Rally Towel]

Massive soft ****. **** you Smithy. Drop out of the side three weeks out? Get fucked. I hope you get binned, suspended, and punched in the cods every week for the rest of your career. ****.

 

[Number6]

For me if fatigue and age effects wearing in why does Cam Smith have to play 80 in origin or in club land. Origin wise we get a supersub who can play hooker I.e Hunt. Club wise they have Brandon Smith. Smart play was always going to be manage his longevity and the transition to new options. Unfortunately he is probably all or nothing about playing.

He’s a qld legend for whatever else you want to say. But very disappointing he pulled out 3 weeks before. It does change how you prep and gear up the alternatives as I imagine they were all assuming no hope for origin this year. Also if coach didn’t know changes entire game plan. But at end of day he’s earned the right to choose his time. Wouldn’t mind a 3rd game call if needed however.

 

[Morkel]

Walters was saying that he had an indication in recent strategy spitball sessions that Smith didn’t have as much hunger or passion this time around. Point being that 60 minutes or 80 minutes, his heart isn’t in it any more.

 

[Dexter]

He's headed in another direction

 

[tommy]

Cam Smith told good friend Kevin Proctor on the weekend that he would be quitting rep football.


Proctor thought he was pulling his leg.