Cam Smith talks about 'influencing' refs, the salary cap drama + more | The Matty Johns Podcast

This week it's a one-on-one with Rugby League legend Cam Smith. They go deep into the Melbourne Storm and Maroons star's career, from the early years right through.
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[@craigcampbell3765]

The funny thing about a player like Smith, as a NSW staunch supporter we hate them with everything we have. But once they are gone (like Tallis, Lewis, Lockyer etc) we miss them as competitors and realise how much they gave to the game whilst they laced up the boots. Thanks Cam and thanks for the great insight into your past. It is a pleasure to see a legend whilst they are pulling on the jumper.

[@caelanharris3657]

Well said mate

[@markgs6941]

Not a truer word spoken. Well played

[@richardwhite2730]

@@patorr69 it is not always about being a bad sport or just hating Queenslanders. As an observation a guy like Cooper cronk comes across as really nice guy. But Cam Smith comes across as arsehole. Memories like him being Aussie captain & after a win sings the Qld song. Clearly a guy that only cares about himself. No one can deny he is one of best players of all time, but he is still an a arsehole.

[@skarrerx8493]

Great take, same thing for a guy like Jonathan Thurston?

[@craigcampbell3765]

@@skarrerx8493 Yeah 100%

[@davidnelson702]

Absolutely brilliant interview. MAtty has become one of the best at this . As for Cam. A great insight to the genuine person, father, husband and player, as well as role model going around.

[@lmuth8393]

Aaaaaaaaa

[@lmuth8393]

@J G aaaaaaaa

[@peterg2174]

For many years I hated the storm and also Cam Smith due to what social media and journalists had to say about them. After watching this video I have completely changed my opinion on them, particularly Cam Smith. He truly is a champion!

[@Brdr685]

My boy cam smith. Without a doubt my most favourite player ever. And I hate, but admire the storm and I'm a warriors fan. U cant help but appreciate this man

[@SilentHotdog28]

As a Storm Supporter, Warriors is one of the only other teams I like haha.

[@wwgiwga7411]

His a grub wtf

[@scooters47]

@@wwgiwga7411 Come on man stop looking in the mirror when you call people gurbs. What did you ever do besides couch surf.

[@lancepetertamihere6224]

Hes shitter than Isaac Luke's 2019 season

[@jettmattingley9602]

@@lancepetertamihere6224 lmao issac luke is average

[@dalemawby8717]

Great cast Matty, good to hear how Cam sees things

[@Ignatius7778]

He is a great asset of NRL to the World.

[@tamataua4370]

Obviously a smart man cam Smith...this proves it, because he chooses his words well when he speaks

[@iboss2569]

Love him or hate him you can't help but admire such an intellectual person/player and get an insight of how he analyzes things and what makes him the player he is.

[@cm5066]

The greatest accountant to ever play in the Nrl

[@Godzrage]

🧂

[@Qball370]

A True Legend Im a Kiwi and a Blues Fan And I think he is the greatest player Ive ever seen ... True Class Another Two Years of Greatness before the boots are hung up

[@notabot0001]

Qballnz 92 make that 5

[@Qball370]

@Baby Yoda Up In This Mofo English?

[@bringabong4648]

Great podcast

[@SilentHotdog28]

One of the best ever. Should be Immortal when he retires.

[@alexoh9671]

No question

[@Zmart30]

SilentHotdog28 he ain’t better than Joey Johns

[@SilentHotdog28]

@@Zmart30 Did I say he is?.....They are different players. They affect the game differently. I think Cam controls the game better and is a better team player, although Johns is the better individual player.

[@mashedpotatoes5276]

SilentHotdog28 don’t worry mate, some people don’t have common sense. You’re statement will be correct in time.

[@Zmart30]

Dean Bilton more and more irrelevant? He’s a bloody immortal, regular commentator & the best ever. Your definition of irrelevant and mine are far different

[@SSTID1908]

Amazing insights from the greatest of all time. Thank you, Matty.

[@Zmart30]

Mike Hale Andrew Johns wasn’t on this podcast though?

[@TheShoalguy]

that was his brother conducting the interview

[@freelancerconverse4413]

@@Zmart30John nowhere near Smith.

[@Zmart30]

@@freelancerconverse4413 🤡

[@AOMAS-qk9yi]

G.O.A.T BEST player ever to play the game of life💯 I'm a proud NSW supporter but if you look at facts, longevity and most importantly achievements ..it's a pure no brainer. .cam smith is the GOAT💯

[@mirriulahwaterdog]

What a legend... an absolute tribute to the game and if more players could perform in the committed, clean and gentlemanly manner this bloke does Rugby League would be an easier game to watch. I love him. Up the Raiders!!!.....

[@Juicepluggedin]

year later and this is gold

[@Aza13]

That Finchey story lmao!!!

[@dr.smithers3448]

Cam smith. The all time GOAT, future immortal. No one will ever be able to break any of his records for a long time. Everyone can keep hating, smithy will just look at his bank account and laugh 💯🐐

[@Zmart30]

DR .Smithers you spelt Andrew Johns wrong as the GOAT

[@davidnelson702]

The thing is, hes too much of a gentleman to do that.

[@sd097]

@@when4381 cam is no goat his a grub

[@sd097]

@@when4381 ok broooooooooo

[@jettmattingley9602]

@@sd097 nahhhhh

[@sense8339]

I genuinely hate the Melbourne storm, I really do. But at the same time, there is no player in the NRL that I respect more than Cameron Smith

[@dazhwood]

Legend and great are overused in sport these days but in this case they are very appropriate. His calmness under pressure is something to behold irrespective of your sport.

[@philcoleman4028]

Brilliant interview have a new respect for Cam Smith !!!

[@charlesraka]

Not a Storm fan, I don't follow Maroons, and I never liked Cameron Smith as a player, but this interview is a must watch for every young person looking for inspiration. Great interview and like a lot of fans of teams in which CS9 didn't play for, I have massive respect for this legend. 🙏🏽

[@kelelder4104]

Probably the best single league podcast episode ever. Class lads

[@TeoGrehan]

I almost can't wait for 30 years to go by and I can say "Mate, I saw Cam Smith play and just trust me, he was the GOAT bar none".

[@sd097]

More like the grub

[@sd097]

@John Snow 5 time What about the premierships that got stripped of him ?????? Filthy grub

[@sd097]

@John Snow 2007 , 2009 stripped U grub

[@johnrobertson2150]

If Andrew Johns never existed , then Cam Smith would be the goat! Love watching Smith play!

[@cascade3769]

Freddie Fittler.

[@JohnJohnson-hk7cj]

Great to hear Cameron’s story!

[@benbishop7512]

As a fan who dislikes the Storm...this was a decent watch.

[@KwisBwown]

incredible. true legend. great work guys.

[@papatanara6306]

That was awesome to listen too.

[@mattsmartin]

Congratulations to Matty Johns, one of the best interviews I have seen. He crafted the questions to make it a story, keeping it flowing while allowing time around engaging moments. Cam Smith, is also the perfect person to spend an hour talking too.

[@youraddayz6054]

Good to hear a great player like him open up

[@nikolakovacevic8411]

The Legend!

[@_notfornothing]

this gets me going x

[@stevestevenson5051]

I don't understand why people actually hate this guy

[@azzatee318]

Because people are naturally jealous of success. Even though they don't like to admit it (calling him grub, cheat etc.) - But fail to look at some NRL players who are actual grubs/unprofessional housos.

[@xr6tgtx737]

It's a love hate relationship, kinda like me and the wife 🤣

[@TeoGrehan]

Probably cause they saw the hatchet job 60 Minutes did on him.

[@marilyncatterall402]

For me, it's because he is the most prominent face of a club which systematically cheated the salary cap for years. Not helped by the way he "influences" refs with his constant moaning. I'm know other players do it (and I dislike them too), but whereas others may have a quiet word as the run past the ref, Smith makes it obvious by standing right in front of the ref.

[@willrobinson4089]

@@when4381 Cameron Smith tells stories every week. Like he didn't know the storm were rorting the cap.

[@gabbyt98]

6:33 good old Bellyache 😂😂😂

[@theosolipo3809]

Can we upload more Matty Johns podcasts

[@ronaldwhite5670]

A great interview Matty

[@michelledavidson8190]

I'm a Broncos supporter and I really wish we'd picked up Cameron in his prime.

[@khanpaniora5346]

did he uses to play for the broncos , all I remember him playing for the Melbourne storms and he was the captain

[@mykula7401]

absolutely loved this pod cast gonna have to see if Billy or cronk jave done onecof these now👍👍👍⚡⚡⚡

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

NSW could barely field as many greats as QLD its just fact, NSW always had the numbers, QLD always had & will always have quality thats often left unmatched for seasons on end

[@jessiegabriel566]

The GOAT NRL player!

[@doinderbood9082]

Great interview

[@wylieharrington6383]

Legend great chat

[@ezrawaters1728]

The finchy line is gold

[@deeessaye5583]

ALL CLASS #KINGCAM

[@andreshoe3772]

Mentioning working with Harry Grant and Brandon Smith has aged well

[@andrewturk6562]

As a nsw man love watching smithy out and out champion of a player

[@beazirconaus946]

I raise my glass to all of the great NRL players, past, present and emerging. Go Storm.

[@johnmacleod7789]

Great story

[@gstar2112]

Great convo

[@viewedpizza990]

GOAT

[@Zmart30]

Viewed Pizza Andrew Johns isn’t in this video

[@Zmart30]

Hugh Jass you’re right. Smith is a clown

[@tomauvaa8835]

Who was he referring to when mentioning they lost two good guys. Was it Slater and Cronk?

[@Lem0ninX]

Yes

[@LeonKoloff-mz8hu]

I ❤ NRL

[@blusuck]

Bellamy and Smith could've been at Canberra 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@simonjames772]

The standards that the storm set with smith n co were outrageously high. The competitiveness in house and game day must’ve been thicker than anything. They’re direct influence on the league is obvious, ever since they left the standards haven’t dropped too far but it makes you fully appreciate the standard these guys were setting and how hard that must of been. they were absolutely rugby league obsessed and absolutely obsessed with eliteness, and the product of that was true true true greatness.

[@LAMARC1]

Best RL podcast out!

[@michaelbertram1994]

G.O.A.T.

[@weburnitatbothends]

Cam Smith, Queenslander!

[@Nodiggity-z2g]

2 Bosses talking that real sh#% Smith is the GOAT

[@sergeantsweat]

water bottle full of vodka........ he loosened up after it was gone......licking lips n all lol

[@markrae9888]

Better without Kent.

[@tanielatuiqali3745]

100%

[@SSTID1908]

Worst opinion in RL media.

[@J03YDR4M45]

@J. Al no football fan ever uses the term "soccer" - bloody Americans

[@davidnelson702]

yep. Kent is a class A flog.

[@anthonyg4022]

Can’t stand Paul Kent absolute flog

[@rogerbaker1517]

well done Matt GO QLD.

[@brandonfrippacademy]

The best player in history.

[@gabbyt98]

1:12:25 Cam Smith would be a better ref than the ones we have

[@KryydsTV]

THE GOAT

[@azkatro]

Ease up fellas, Sonny Bill debuted against Parra in 2004.

[@xeftones]

Don't let the facts get in the way of a good story.

[@gabbyt98]

If Cam is not named an immortal then idk what

[@WTC-1990]

he called him bellyache lol

[@guyskillen]

His nickname from the 80s at the Raiders.

[@melindafeld850]

Great interview I actually like it my only problem is the salary cap issue. No matter how much Cameron thinks they won those comps the fact is the club he plays for cheated and were caught. Nothing can change that.

[@croooks1052]

Exactly.. Didn't like how he kept saying how they did the training and won all those games so it doesn't feel like they got them stripped, which yes they did all the hard work but with a team they should never of had anyway!

[@guyskillen]

@@brettconnor9057 Then agree to get paid less if they want to stay together. Heaps of clubs do it.

[@guyskillen]

Yep, people taking drugs to cheat also work hard. Maybe one day he'll see his error.

[@DidiPort]

I get why they feel they still won those premierships, it comes down to the work with and for each other when you are in the trenches with your mates, coaches and other supporting staff. The physical, mental, emotional effort is monumental (it’s a forge where man are made), it brings a closeness amongst the group a oneness.until you have done that you won’t understand. I guarantee 100% that is why, he feels they still one the premierships. The Salary Cap blowout is money, playing at this level has very little to do with money, read again what I said above.

[@Whistler112]

​@@guyskillenhe'll have to remove his head from his own arse first 😂

[@jigesh78]

It seems even in the interview he controls the speed

[@Alekosdw]

Matty johns can’t help but toot joeys horn any change he can get And the first person smith remembers from the nsw squad Was Jason ryles ! What a prop In those years he was the best prop in the world

[@elijahkila9355]

51:15 classic😂

[@julianalderson3938]

Really good every game. An aussie

[@jailesani3399]

The Woodridge Warrior 💪

[@saveit4last]

*marsden

[@jailesani3399]

@@saveit4last yea where he went to school

[@saveit4last]

@@jailesani3399 where he grew up you flog he played his junior footy in Woodridge

[@benatiga]

Imagine being named an immortal on GF night 🤔 how good

[@Ree93ZE]

James graham next please !

[@tomauvaa8835]

The corona virus stopped him from reaching 450.

[@tomauvaa8835]

Hugh Jass I have a feeling he will. Looks like the guy is for and ready to go on next year

[@tomauvaa8835]

Hugh Jass yeah maybe you’re right. Let’s see

[@AlistairMaxwell77]

why is there only 1 mic plugged into the mixer... ? foxtel props department is like we need a mixer like on those internet podcasts... good work . you tried to try .

[@chemtrailer6078]

only record left for Cam is, most hit ups in a game, has he ever done one?

[@cascade3769]

He's not a second rower or a prop. That's like criticising a wicketkeeper for not bowling !

[@chemtrailer6078]

@@cascade3769 my point is...his career was that long because he never took many hard knocks...he was a good kicker though, but being fresh thru out the game would have helped....i like him, and i like strom...but i just dont think he was all that good of a player..... greg inglis for example...hes was a way better player

[@cascade3769]

@@chemtrailer6078 You're thinking in terms of pure entertainment. Cam Smith controlled the game and made thousands of tackles.

[@chemtrailer6078]

@@cascade3769 if he wanted to control a game he should have been a ref...players play the game, and contribute equally....yeah he was a good tackler, but once again, because he was fresh...

[@cascade3769]

@@chemtrailer6078 Fittler is my favourite player of all time. He smashes Smith.

[@jamesrichardson800]

agreed

[@deeessaye5583]

G O A T

[@simonpapik6365]

GoAT

[@TheJuanvegas]

Definately stand up. Cant be putting all that effort in and not admiring the end product

[@gabbyt98]

24:15 😅😅😅

[@TheNewcastleKnight]

Hello

[@nahzewilliams5912]

is it me ur looking for?

[@JorddyyB98]

Nahze Williams I can see it in your eyes

[@leila4836]

i can see it in your smile

[@wareproduction8779]

This thread makes me smile.

[@airplane3359]

Cameroon Smith the smartest player in league..... that is saying something🤣🤣

[@maj365]

🐏

[@AWESTERNWHITEMAN.BOSH.]

Broncos fucked it. Thay had him.

[@AWESTERNWHITEMAN.BOSH.]

Broncos fucking gutted.🤣🤣🤣👍👍

[@somiakattoub7084]

did you actually watch this for 1 hour, you are so bothered...

[@dwj8620]

He's a grub. But a likable grub lol

[@DaShA69684]

Penrith showing how its meant to be done, lost great player’s each year good coaching, Melb just resorted to cheating their way and still couldnt do it, introduced wrestling that made the game ugly, what a legacy Bellamy and his cheats have left

[@julianalderson3938]

Yer are good . Nice to c does we nt go to ya c head.

[@Area51WasOurMoon]

Sack ALL dishonesty referees.

[@xaj1543]

Good Listener Do you mean dishonest referees? It must make you sad that you can’t even manage to put together 1 sentence😂

[@Area51WasOurMoon]

xaj154 you mean “managed”🤣🤣

[@xaj1543]

Good Listener What? Another moron joins in!

[@xaj1543]

Good Listener Surely you understand the difference between, “manage” and “managed” in that sentence. Do you comprehend present and past tense? If, it is as it seems, and you have never spent a day in school, I’m sorry because it is not your fault.

[@garybaltiejus7248]

Smith is a polarising figure in the game you either love him or you hate him, personally I can't stand the guy I guess you can be a bit arrogant when you have a record like his I've just never taken a liking to the guy I went to his last game in Brisbane because my team played in that game and my son is a storm supporter and when they carried him off that was it I couldn't stomach anymore applause for the guy

[@delsar1523]

He said uhm at least a thousand times

[@jatberoz5972]

Can't wait for him to retire hate Melbourne and he is to good. My respect for him as a competitor has hit sky high but as a Tiger I still can't forget the kick in the head Slater gave Skandalis at Leichhardt. Him as captain is partially responsible.

[@patrickkeoug6070]

How funny, Matty is trying to rile him up that halves is such a harder position than 9 and Smith just plain misses the humour.

[@patrickkeoug6070]

A great honest interview. I remember lots of what Cam talks about in this growing up and playing in Brisbane at the same time. So serious!

[@garybaltiejus7248]

Grub

[@CaptainKuki]

Hearty As

[@Gertzy41]

Gallop is a good he penalized everyone except the main perpetrators thank God he went to soccer 😢😢😢😢