Stress free life key for Smith's Storm agreement
December 10th 2008 07:37
Cameron Smith's agreement to stay at the Melbourne Storm for a further four seasons will do wonders for his confidence after finishing season 2008 on a disappointing note.
Smith missed the record 2008 NRL grand final loss to the Manly Sea Eagles and was also a member of the Kangaroos side that lost the world cup final to the Kiwis.
But after recently becoming a father to daughter Jada earlier this year, Smith thought it would be best to remain a Storm player until 2012 - despite severe interest from Queensland club, the Gold Coast Titans.
In terms of his football career, it was the right decision to make.
The reason why the Storm have become the juggernaut they have over the last three seasons mainly lies in the lack of media attention their superstar players receive.
The Storm play in AFL heartland, and while they do not get the necessary recognition they deserve, their players would not have it any other way.
It allows the likes of Smith, Slater, Inglis and Cronk to live a relatively normal life, while their AFL counterparts draw the majority of media attention.
This in turn allows the Storm players to focus only on their football and the goals they have in mind for the coming season.
Indeed playing League in Melbourne is also a great career pathway for those that have had off field troubles in the past.
Michael Crocker was a prime example of how calm life can be in Melbourne when playing in the NRL for the Storm.
Although he enjoyed success at former club the Sydney Roosters, Crocker was more often then not, embroiled in too much controversy which enhanced his reputation as a league bad boy to no end.
His three year stay at Melbourne however, which began in 2006, saw Crocker evolve into a decent human being who was finally free of the lingering pressure the Sydney media can offer.
With the negative limelight off his shoulders, Crocker developed into a fine footballer and coincidently enjoyed his time at the Storm before heading off overseas to the English Super League at the end of season 2008.
Indeed Cameron Smith's decision to re-sign for Melbourne is heavily based on the factor of privacy and normality.
The current QLD and Kangaroos hooker just wants a controversy free, successful football career with his family by his side.
With all this, plus a $2.5 million dollar contract playing alongside the likes of Slater, Inglis and Cronk, Smith's decision to remain at the Storm really was a formality just waiting to happen.
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