Brandon Smith celebrated 50 NRL games in the purple jersey on Thursday night and it's unlikely there's ever been a more epic milestone match. Talk about a ripper 50th.
The Cheese said the golden point thriller was one of the most physical first-grade games he's ever played.
"It’s taken three days to recover," he said on Monday.
"Thankfully the club gave us three days off but to be honest I had to train with Dale Finucane in the gym today and it didn’t help.
"His name is Mr Intensity and he gives everything 100pc, I just couldn’t keep up with him. I needed a half time pre-workout."
It doesn't get much tougher than a game like that... it took the full 85 minutes for us to win that game.
Brandon Smith
"I don’t remember the last game I played where I felt that bad afterwards. My ribs were sore, I found it hard to sleep... the fact it went for 85 minutes took a toll on my body.
"We couldn’t slouch off for a single moment or the Roosters would make us pay.
"I’m just really stoked the boys managed to get the win for me."
Smith said the same intensity was expected every week from the head coach.
"After the match (Bellamy) spoke about why we turned up for that game so prepared and so ready for the physicality," he said.
"He asked, 'why can’t we do that against every team and prep mentally like that for someone like the Gold Coast Titans?'
"That stuck with us. That’s how we want to prep and play for every game - we can’t just play like that against the good teams.
"Hopefully we can take that on board when we play Canberra, they have been a bogey team for us."
B Smith played in the number 9 jersey in place of C Smith who moved to the halves and the Cheese said although hooker is his preferred role, it was a strange transition.
"A few times I just wasn’t getting into hooker and I had to be reminded that I was playing at hooker," he laughed.
"It happened at training as well, I was just sitting back waiting.
"Smithy being Smithy, he helped me out every time I was having a little lapse in concentration."
When asked about competition for the number 9 spot next season (given the likely return of Harry Grant), Smith didn't speculate on his future at the club.
"It’s tough for me to say what my future holds. I definitely want to play number 9, but I’m focused on this year for now," he said.
Melbourne Storm is such an incredible club and they’ve given me everything so far. You enjoy your footy a lot more when you’re winning games and I’m very fortunate to be able to do that at Storm.
Brandon Smith
"It’s hard for me to forget how lucky I was to lace up the boots alongside Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk on debut. I feel very grateful to have played 50 games for Melbourne.
"I’m looking forward to this season, hopefully we can build towards a premiership ring this year."
