Smith played 430 NRL games and won three premierships for Melbourne. He also played 56 Tests for Australia and 42 State of Origin matches for Queensland, as a mainstay of the Maroons dynasty that won 11 series in 12 years.<\/p>\n
His retirement announcement followed the Wednesday unveiling of a Smith statue at AAMI Park, the Storm's home ground, as well as a bronze model of fellow Melbourne icon Slater.<\/p>\n
He said that he'd decided a trip back to Melbourne, having relocated to Queensland with his family, was the perfect time to make his announcement.<\/p>\n
"This is were I and Billy both started our career, right here at Olympic Park, 2002," Smith said. "This is where I wanted to officially end it as well and I had the opportunity to stand next to my good friend Billy."<\/p>\n
There was some speculation that Smith might sign a late contract with either the Brisbane Broncos or Gold Coast Titans for this season, but that has come to nothing. He retires as a one-club player, something that he said was a key factor; having dreamed of remaining so ever since being a Storm rookie nearly two decades ago.<\/p>\n
"That was probably one of the main considerations, really," Smith said.<\/p>\n
"Given the amount of time I've spent here and what I've tried to build with guys like Billy and Cooper [Cronk] and Ryan Hoffman and Jesse Bromwich and Ryan Hinchcliffe, all these guys have put a lot of effort into growing the sport of rugby league but growing the organisation of Melbourne Storm to what it is today.<\/p>\n
"That was a major factor, of remaining a one-club player."<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Smith made the hooker position his own in a 19-season first grade career. He will undoubtedly be inducted as a rugby league Immortal once the five-year waiting period is complete; beginning with his retirement.<\/p>\n
Smith was a dual Dally M Medallist, a dual Golden Boot winner and an eight-time Dally M Hooker of the Year. He was also a four-time winner of the Wally Lewis Medal, as man of the Origin series, a four-time Dally M Representative Player of the Year and a five-time Dally M Captain of the Year.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Smith had played his cards extremely close to his chest with his retirement announcement. Even his long-time Storm coach, Craig Bellamy, said on Wednesday morning that he had no idea what Smith had decided for his future and had recently given up asking.<\/p>\n
"I tried that a couple of times last year and got a fairly icy response, so I haven't brought it up again," Bellamy told SEN radio.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Smith's career was not without controversy. <\/p>\n
He was one of the faces of the club through its 2010 salary cap scandal, which resulted in Melbourne's 2007 and 2009 premierships being stripped. A such, Smith has won five NRL grand finals but can count only three officials titles.<\/p>\n
Smith also became a lightning rod for criticism of the Melbourne Storm's playing style, after the club pioneered wrestling techniques in tackles.<\/p>\n
Yet all criticism is dwarfed by mighty achievements. Immortal Andrew Johns counts Smith the greatest player he's ever seen, as do many other legends of the game.<\/p>\n
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