Cameron Smith was officially unveiled by the Brisbane Broncos as the latest addition to Michael Maguire’s coaching team over the weekend.
Many have raised eyebrows at the move, with some even theorising that the Storm great could be paving the way to take over from Melbourne legend Craig Bellamy, when the footy coach eventually steps aside as the team’s head coach.
Reports emerged back in November that Smith, who played 433 matches for the Storm during his glittering career, was in line to take up an advisory role with the reigning premiers.
Some questioned why Bellamy had not approached him to join the Victorian outfit, but it appears there may have been another factor as to why the Queensland-born NRL great, chose to link up with Maguire.
Speaking on Wednesday, Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster claimed that Smith’s wife, Barbara, may have encouraged him to join the Broncos in Queensland.
‘His wife probably didn’t want him to fly down to Melbourne every week because he missed out on a whole heap of his kids’ lives,’ Munster said on Wednesday.
Cameron Munster believes Cameron Smith’s (left) wife Barbara (right) played a role in convincing the Melbourne legend to take up a coaching role with the Brisbane Broncos
Munster claimed that Barbara probably didn’t want Smith to be flying down to Melbourne each week to coach the Storm
Smith and Maguire had previously worked together back in 2004 when the Brisbane boss took up an assistant coaching position under Bellamy at the Storm.
‘He [Smith] has a good relationship with Madge [Maguire] when they were together at the Storm, and I’m sure Madge coached him at one stage when he was down here as an assistant, so they have a great relationship,’ Munster added.
Maguire admitted earlier this week that he had to do ‘a double take’ when he saw the Melbourne great wearing the Broncos colours.
Munster, however, said he was gutted after seeing pictures of Smith sporting a Brisbane training top.
Despite that, the Storm star believes Smith could return to the Victorian outfit one day.
‘It’s disappointing to see him in different colours, but he obviously wants to get a bit of development. There are two ways to skin a cat, so he obviously feels like there’s a different way of coaching.
‘You never know, he might end up having some development there, and then he comes back down. Who knows? I’m not too sure who the next coach will be after Craig, but I’m sure Billy [Slater] or Cam would be the right fit.’
Smith enjoyed a decorated playing career, winning three premierships with the Storm, while also claiming two Dally M medals in 2006 and 2017.
However, Munster theorised that Smith (right) could one day take over from Storm boss Craig Bellamy (left) down the line
Munster (pictured) said he was ‘disappointed’ not to see Smith join up with his former club
Smith (pictured) played 433 games for the Storm before retiring in 2020. He would go on to work in the media with Channel Nine and SEN
After retiring in 2020, Smith took up roles in the media, working with Channel Nine and SEN.
He also dipped his toes into coaching when he joined up with Billy Slater’s Queensland Maroons backroom staff in 2022. He would spend two years working with the Maroons before being replaced by Matt Ballin in 2024.
‘It would be nice [if he did take over from Bellamy],’ Munster added. ‘Not too many guys have a resume or the accolades or premierships and awards [that Smith does]. I’m not sure he hasn’t won one, except for the Clive Churchill Medal.’
Munster isn’t the only person who thinks Smith might return to the Storm later on in his coaching career.
Former Cronulla and Gold Coast player Mat Rogers believes Melbourne need someone who knows the club to take over from Bellamy after his 24-year stint.
‘I was really shocked to be honest, it is a great get for the Broncos… but I’m shocked Melbourne don’t have him working for them,’ Rogers said, reacting to the news that Smith had joined Brisbane on SEN Radio.
‘I like the fact Cam is back in the game at the highest level but I’m reading it like Madge and Bellyache [Bellamy] are good mates, Madge worked for Bellyache.
‘Cam lives here, is he working for the Broncos to prepare himself to take over as the head coach of the Melbourne Storm?
‘I think Melbourne need someone internal, someone who has been there and understands the system. Bellyache has been there 20 years; he has set a standard.
‘Maybe I am wrong, but I think that could be it. He would be a great head coach. He is so controlled, he was never flustered.’
