NRL legend Billy Slater believes Cameron Smith is still grappling with his decision to step down, suggesting that the Storm skipper may take some time to complete.
Speculation about Smith’s game future was rife throughout the year, reaching a fever after being spearheaded by his teammates outside Suncorp Stadium over the weekend.
However, Slater cited Smith’s reluctant resignation from his country of origin in 2018 as a reason why a decision about his gaming future after the grand finale may not be imminent.
“I really feel like he doesn’t know,” he said of 2GB Broad world of sports radio.
“He loves the game so much and he plays the game so much that he doesn’t want to make a mistake with this decision.
“I think he’s still pushing what he’s going to do next year and it could get to the grand finale and if he holds up that trophy. Maybe he won’t even announce it then. He can a week or two later waiting.
“He doesn’t need all the fanfare. I know Cameron Smith too well, look how he left Origin, he doesn’t need the fanfare.
“He would be happy to end the season and make the decision in the off-season.”
Speaking to Wide World of Sports Radio today, Smith admitted that he was “injured and battered” on Sunday’s way to become the NRL decision maker.
“The body is, like after the 18:19 games without a farewell round this year, like most of the people on our team and also the Panthers, a bit injured and bruised,” he said.
“But nothing prevents me from entering the field on Sunday.
“It’s been a really exciting year indeed, especially with some of these young people and at the end of the season with these guys in their first series of finals.
“It helped me get through an exhausting tough season. There were many challenges along the way and it was a completely different season for us.”
