With Cameron Smith still yet to make an official call on his playing future, it appears increasingly likely that he has played his final NRL game.
Speculation has followed the future Immortal ever since the 2020 Grand Final and now over four months later, Andrew Voss finds the situation bizarre.
“Think back to last year, the Melbourne Storm were premier, and Cameron Smith was lifting the trophy after his record 433rd NRL game,” Voss said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“At the time we respected his decision that he wasn’t sure whether to play on in 2021.
“He needed some time to evaluate his future, that was fair enough.
“Then, there was his book release and there was a sign things were going a bit strange.
“If you think back, there was last-minute cancellations of interviews, rescheduled to a later date and we of course had Cameron on our program, he was great to interview as always.
“That was November, he told us then that he needed more time and he said he’d have a decision by Christmas. Fair enough.
“Now, three months on it is just bizarre, I declare it one of the strangest stories I’ve come across in all my time watching rugby league.
“Some of his closest friends that I’ve spoken to, friends who played with him for years haven’t been able to speak to Cameron. They leave messages, no reply. What’s all that about?
“The Storm can’t get any replies. To be honest, bizarre has become a bit sad.
“Cameron will be in Melbourne tomorrow for the unveiling of a statue, a tremendous honour for he and Billy Slater.
“But, we’re told he won’t be seeing, I guess we’ll call them his former teammates in Melbourne, nor will he stick around for the opening game of the season on Thursday night.
“He apparently has a prior commitment, so the club hasn’t been able to plan anything of the tribute kind. 433 games for the club, so many records.
“The Broncos and the Titans are potential destinations if he was to play on, but they can’t get any answers either.
“I’d love to see him again in the NRL, in fact for a few more years, his form in 2020 suggests he’s good enough.
“If the playing career is all over, and that’s the way it appears. It is the strangest exit in the history of sport.
“I’m declaring that, the strangest exit in the history of sport, not just rugby league.”
Listen to Vossy’s verdict below.
