Cameron Smith (rugby league, born 1983)
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Cameron Smith | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 90 kg (14 st 2 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Hooker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Rugby League Project As of 23 November 2008 |
Cameron Smith (born 18 June 1983 in Brisbane, Queensland) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League. He is also a regular representative player for Queensland and Australia.
Smith captained the Melbourne Storm in their 34–8 victory over the Manly Sea Eagles in the 2007 NRL Grand Final. Along with playing hooker he is also the first-choice goal kicker for the Melbourne Storm and is left footed.
As a youth Smith was hooker for the Logan Brothers Junior Rugby League Club, Logan City, Queensland.
In August, 2008, Smith was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup,[1][2] and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man Australia squad.[3]
Cameron was controversially suspended for two weeks in the 2008 finals series after a grapple tackle on Brisbane's Sam Thaiday. The suspension would have only been one week had he not had carry over points from a previous grapple tackle in round 1 of the year's competition. This meant he was suspended for Melbourne's 40-0 loss to Manly in the 2008 grand final.The suspension was blown up by the media after the game and was responsible for the Melbourne Storm CEO, Brian Waldron, and coach, Craig Bellamy, claiming they judiciary had made their mind up before Camerons case was heard. The judiciary panel members then threatened to sue the club if the comments were not retracted. He is now the Melbourne Storm's most experienced active player due to the retirement of Matt Geyer at the end of 2008. Cameron signed a four year extension to his contract in December 2008, resulting in him being a contracted player through to the end of at least the 2012 season. His contract is rumoured to be partly funded by third party sponsors who do not contribute to the standard salary cap.
Cameron has a daughter, Jada with his partner born in 2008.[4]
In April 2009, he was named in the preliminary 25 man squad to represent Queensland in the opening State of Origin match for 2009.[5] He was selected for Australia in the one-off test match against New Zealand on 8 May 2009.[6]
Achievements
- 2005: Ron McAullife Medal
- 2005: Club Player of the Year
- 2006: Dally M Player of the Year
- 2006: Club Player of the Year
- 2007: Wally Lewis Medal (State of Origin)
- 2007: Golden Boot Award International Player of the Year
- 2007: NRL - Most points (192) scored ever by a hooker in a season
- 2007: Club Player of the Year
References
- ^ Liam FitzGibbon (2008-08-01). "Surprises in Kangaroos squad". "Fox Sports News (Australia)". Retrieved 2008-08-02.
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(help) - ^ "Veteran Lockyer named in Australian squad". International Herald Tribune. 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ "Manly six win Australia call-up". BBC. 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ http://www.nrlnews.com/2008/03/12/melbourne-storm-cameron-smith-has-baby-daughter-jada/
- ^ "Queensland name preliminary State of Origin squad". Fox Sports. 2009-04-28. Retrieved 2009-04-28.
- ^ Wald, Tom (2009-05-03). "Kangaroos selectors stick by losing World Cup team for New Zealand Test". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2009-05-03.