It's understood the Storm will grant Smith a release should the club receive a suitable replacement via a player swap.<\/p>\n
With young star Harry Grant, who was crowned 2020 rookie of the year, returning from his one-year loan at Wests Tigers, and with no official word on whether Cameron Smith will retire, the Kiwi international will likely continue coming off the bench in a lock-forward role.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In speaking for the first time surrounding his request for a release, Smith said it had always been his dream to play in the No.9 jersey.<\/p>\n
"I want to play No.9," Smith said.<\/p>\n
"I've found myself becoming accustomed to the 13 jersey, which isn't a bad thing. The versatility is great, but that's not what I want to play.<\/p>\n
"If I can't be a nine at this club, I'd love to play nine elsewhere.<\/p>\n
"I want to be a long-term No.9 and I want to represent my country at No.9 and I want to do great things in the game like Cameron Smith has done in the hooker spot."<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Despite being happy to concede the hooker responsibilities to the Queensland rugby league great, Smith admits he's found it tough having to play two different positions which typically recquire their own set of physical demands.<\/p>\n
"Adjusting to being in the 13 role as well … my body, I can't be a skinny 13 and not protect myself. I've got to put on weight to play 13. That's the sort of things that hinders my ability to be a nine," Smith said.<\/p>\n
"That's okay with me while Cameron Smith's there because he deserves that nine spot. He's the greatest No.9 and still is the best No.9 to this day. But I think that this is the greatest opportunity to fight for that No.9 spot.<\/p>\n
"I got down to 93 (kilograms) playing 13 a couple of seasons ago and it wasn't great. I felt fast but I felt like I was getting thrown around a bit more than usual. I usually play around 97-98 kilos.<\/p>\n
"But if I was to be a nine, for instance, I'd be about 92 kilos. That's a big difference in weight. I'm playing nine against Parramatta at (98 kilos), which is not ideal but you make do."<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Smith also touched on his conversation with coach Craig Bellamy, and despite what some people might think, the 24-year-old revealed the meeting the pair had wasn't a "hard" one to go through.<\/p>\n
"Stuff like that with Craig – it's not a hard thing to talk to him about," Smith said.<\/p>\n
"He's a coach you can have hard conversations with and not worry about what he's going to do. He's never going to yell at you (in that scenario).<\/p>\n
"That's just not what Craig's about. It wasn't really a hard conversation; I just said how I felt and he respected my decision.<\/p>\n
"But at the same time, his job is to put the best side out that's going to win him a premiership. We didn't see the point in me getting a release this year when that spot's still up for grabs.<\/p>\n
"He said that he's not just going to give the No.9 jersey to Harry or he's not just going to give it to me. We've both just got to go out there and take it."<\/p>\n
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