The 'handshake deal' that could end Cameron Smith's career early

Cameron Smith has revealed he has the option to walk away from his new two-year deal with the Storm if he wants to retire at the end of 2019.

According to NRL.com, his contract with the Storm doesn’t have any clauses about 2020, but a ‘handshake agreement’ means he can pull the pin early.

“Just to clarify it, I’m happy to be up front – there’s no option in the contract. It’s a two-year contract,” Smith told NRL.com.

“But when we were having discussions about me re-signing for two years I made it quite clear to everyone involved that I’d be discussing where I was at through the 2019 season with Craig and how he felt I was travelling.

“If he felt that it was better to finish off this year then I would take that on board.

“But before it even got to Craig I would know myself.

“I would know whether I was happy with my form or whether my involvement or contribution to the team was deteriorating.”

Smith’s desire to sign a two-year deal was well publicised after contract negotiations with the Storm were drawn out, but the skipper concedes his mindset could easily change once the 2019 season starts.

‘Feeling as good as ever’

Upon re-signing in January, Smith said he feels better than ever.

The 35-year-old said his retirement from representative football in 2018 was a big factor in his decision.

“I was feeling really good after the 2018 season, given it was my first time in a long time away from the representative arena,” Smith said.

“Finishing with no injuries … I’m feeling as good as I’ve ever felt and that was the reason I asked the club for two years and, thankfully, that was an option that worked for them as well.

“If it was a deadset ‘no’ from the club then I would have been happy to go ahead with the 12 months.”

Smith admitted the club was initially surprised by his two-year call but said there was no acrimony.

He said the lengthy negotiations were due to the club working out its salary cap heading into 2020 and logistics with him travelling on an extended holiday overseas with his family.

Set to turn 36 in June, Smith is older than new assistant coach and his former teammate Ryan Hinchcliffe.

Age aside, he’s on target to set to some NRL records that will be extremely hard to beat.

He already holds the record for most games at 384 and, with more representative commitments, should take that mark beyond 430.

He is also poised to become the NRL points record holder. He is second (2386 points) only to ex-Canterbury ace Hazem El Masri (2418).

with AAP