It takes a lot to stop Cameron Smith from leading his side onto an NRL field.
In recent weeks it was simple common sense and an eye to the greater good that prevailed.
The skipper has sat out two games this season against the Knights in Round 13 and Roosters in Round 16.
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Those decisions were made in order to allow the champion hooker to cope with the high demands of the Origin period and ensure he will be at his brilliant best when Storm need him most during the business end of the year.
“I took the opportunity to rest against Newcastle but I was fairly reluctant against the Roosters,” Smith said.
“Craig and the coaching staff have been trying to twist my arm around the Origin period about having rest and not playing games.
“I just thought this year with the position our footy team is in… I thought the rest against the Roosters would do myself good and in tern that would be a good decision for the team.”
So far that decision appears to be paying off as Smith returned to the line-up on Friday night to help Melbourne record a convincing 42-12 win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
That victory saw the Club retain its place, two games clear on top of the NRL ladder.
There were questions marks over whether Smith would be able to play against Brisbane however he dismissed any suggestion of a significant injury.
“Every player in the competition has got bumps and bruises this year and I’m no different,” Smith said.
“It was nice to have a few days off with the family, recharge the batteries and I felt great coming into tonight’s game.
“It was good to have a break between the last Origin and this game so I can get ready for the decider and the last part of the year with Storm.”
