Cameron Smith to retire from Rep Footy - Immediately

[Unbreakable]

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


Proctor thought he was pulling his leg.

That's not how the story goes.

Smith had been tossing up retiring for a while, but couldn't come to a decision. After speaking to an ex-teammate on Saturday night he decided to let it come down to chance, settling it over a wishbone.

 

[Mr Fourex]

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

...and days and days and days and days

and days.

 

[Huge]

I’m not a great fan of the bloke but, like Lockyer, I respect what he’s achieved.

I’m a bit confused why everyone thinks he’s just pulled the pin today. I’m sure he and Kevvie had continued this discussion repeatedly over the past couple of years.

If he decides to give his all to his club, I’m sure Storm fans have a very different opinion of him, and we could only wish for a similar situation.

It says a lot about him that he didn’t choose the fanfare of a send-off series.

If I’m to speculate, this suspension has made him choose his allegiance for this year (likely his last with the way he’s been playing). If he chose origin, on top of the suspension, he’s gone too long to keep Melbourne in the race.

I couldn’t see us winning it this year, regardless. I’ve course I hope we do, but in my mind, that’d be a major upset.
Even if QLD do lose (either with or without him), we may as well introduce the new generation now, rather than next year.

Slater should retire, too. He definitely still has rep level play in him, but for the next generation’s sake, let Ponga soak it up this year.

This ♤
I'm 99% certain KW knew this was highly likely having had talks with Smithy previously. KW would have had his eye on the other hookers available and been prepared. Smith has spilled enough blood for us and it's okay with me on the timing. If I was really clever I'd know all about the private conversations had but sadly I'm not privy to that info. I'll get angry about important stuff instead.

 

[1910]

This ♤
I'm 99% certain KW knew this was highly likely having had talks with Smithy previously. KW would have had his eye on the other hookers available and been prepared. Smith has spilled enough blood for us and it's okay with me on the timing. If I was really clever I'd know all about the private conversations had but sadly I'm not privy to that info. I'll get angry about important stuff instead.

I think a few people had started to have an idea. Kevvie met with the senior Storm/Qld guys at the Sofitel Sunday morning to talk Origin before they left for Melbourne and Smith pulled him aside then.

 

[OXY-351]

I completely disagree with this, why would anyone whinge about that? Why would anyone be upset that he gave the team as much time as possible to find a replacement? Did anyone whinge when Cronk did the same thing? Thurston? No, they didn't.

Ok, maybe the term "everyone" was over the top, but I still think he would have copped backlash for it no matter when he announced it.

And while it's only been publicly announced now, it sounds like Walters had pre-warning this was likely to be the case, either through direct conversations or picking up a few hints along the way. Both Walters and Meninga said they could see a change in Smith in recent rep camps and matches. Surely Walters was already making plans that Smith might not be there. It doesn't sound like Smith just rang him on Tuesday and said, "Hey Kevvie, how good is McCullough playing these days?".

I think the Thurston and Cronk situation is slightly different. Hadn't they already made their mind up before last years series? It sounds like Smith was unsure. He wanted to give himself as much time as possible, but ultimately knew he wasn't up for it now. I'd prefer him to have done that and possibly played in another series, than just pull the pin when he wasn't sure.

Sure it's not great timing, but what's the alternative? He plays again this series, has a stinker and lets the team down? Personally I feel that even Smith playing slightly below his best is still better than any other option QLD has got at the moment, but I can see why he'd call it a day if he thought he couldn't put in 100% for the team.

At the end of the day, I'm wondering if it really matters when he'd announced it. He could have announced it last year or he could have announced it this week. The problem is still the same. QLD need to find another hooker. Would there be any more candidates for the position, depending on when he announced it? Would any of them be in better form? It was always going to be an issue replacing Smith, whether you gave a year or 3 weeks to do it.

 

[winslow_wong]

On the flip side how perfect is the timing for brad fittler to step in as nsw coach. He could very well start a dynasty of his own and be hailed as the blues saviour

 

[Super Freak]

I feared we would lose the big 3 the way we have.

I wanted Cronk to stick around for one more series after JT retired to help our next generation of halves make the transition and Smith to stick around for the series after Cronk retired and help the next generation of hookers make the transition.

But unfortunately, that's not going to happen and I can see NSW going on a run for the next few years.

Hopefully QLD can pull a '95 and get up and beat NSW, but I can't see it happening.

 

[john1420]

I seem to recall a time where if you played NRL and were eligible for rep teams, you had to play if chosen

"Retiring" just from rep footy simply wasn't something you could do

It seems quite common now so I guess it must be OK to do but I don't recall a change to the rules

I remember vaguely a stink about this when Jamie Lyon tried to not play when picked or something like that?

Perhaps he was the trigger for a rule change?

 

[tommy]

I seem to recall a time where if you played NRL and were eligible for rep teams, you had to play if chosen

"Retiring" just from rep footy simply wasn't something you could do

It seems quite common now so I guess it must be OK to do but I don't recall a change to the rules

I remember vaguely a stink about this when Jamie Lyon tried to not play when picked or something like that?

Perhaps he was the trigger for a rule change?

I think retiring from it was always fine, which is what Jamie Lyon did. You couldn't pick and choose which games you would play and which you wouldn't. You were either available for selection or retired for good.

 

[Alec]

Yeah there were players who retired even before Lyon. Webcke for example.

 

[Morkel]

I think it was okay to retire after many years of service and effectively just to give a season or two to your club rep-free. Lyon was just a soft POS that admitted he didn't want to play Origin because of the expectations of NSW fans. He hadn't paid his dues, which is why they sought to stand him down from club duties when Origin players were out. IIRC he ended up playing Origin one year and then after that the selectors just decided if he didn't want to be there he didn't deserve rep honours.

 

[Broncs_Fan]

Lyon was just one of those laid back country guys who didn't like the over the top hype of Origin. No one should be forced to play if they don't enjoy it.

 

[Morkel]

Lyon was just one of those laid back country guys who didn't like the over the top hype of Origin. No one should be forced to play if they don't enjoy it.

Yeah like that time he told the Eels he was homesick, they granted a release, and he signed with the Super League. Salt of the earth that guy.

 

[john1420]

Thanks @Alec, @Morkel and @Tom

Mark it down, I was wrong, and my memory failed me :)

 

[Mr Fourex]

Lyon was a cat.....

 

[Mr Fourex]

 

[tommy]

badum tss