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The Storm Within: The Autobiography of a Legend
Honest, enthralling, and incredibly intimate, the autobiography of Cameron Smith is a revealing insight into one of Australia's greatest ever sportsmen.
Cameron Smith AM is the most decorated rugby league player of all time. The recipient of numerous Dally M and Golden Boot awards, he has starred in the toughest league competition on the planet every season since he made his NRL debut in 2002. Captaining the Melbourne Storm to multiple premierships, Smith played in a staggering seventeen finals campaigns. An integral member of the record-breaking Queensland teams of 2006-2017, he won eleven State of Origin series. As skipper of the Australian national team for over a decade, he led the Kangaroos to two World Cups. Smith is credited with revolutionising the number nine position. He holds the State of Origin records for most appearances and most wins, as well as the NRL records for most games, goals, points scored, wins and appearances as captain.
This book maps his unique journey in the game: an extraordinary look into the biggest matches and biggest moments, Smith describes his career with great colour and candour, outlining what it takes to climb to the highest level in sport. Talent aside, it is Smith's intelligence and poise that set him apart, coupled with consistency, durability and longevity that are unlikely to ever be matched. Notoriously private throughout his career, The Storm Within sets the record straight. Finally, the life behind the legend - the man behind the mystery - tells his story.
Features a foreword by legendary Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
Cameron Smith AM is the most decorated rugby league player of all time. The recipient of numerous Dally M and Golden Boot awards, he has starred in the toughest league competition on the planet every season since he made his NRL debut in 2002. Captaining the Melbourne Storm to multiple premierships, Smith played in a staggering seventeen finals campaigns. An integral member of the record-breaking Queensland teams of 2006-2017, he won eleven State of Origin series. As skipper of the Australian national team for over a decade, he led the Kangaroos to two World Cups. Smith is credited with revolutionising the number nine position. He holds the State of Origin records for most appearances and most wins, as well as the NRL records for most games, goals, points scored, wins and appearances as captain.
This book maps his unique journey in the game: an extraordinary look into the biggest matches and biggest moments, Smith describes his career with great colour and candour, outlining what it takes to climb to the highest level in sport. Talent aside, it is Smith's intelligence and poise that set him apart, coupled with consistency, durability and longevity that are unlikely to ever be matched. Notoriously private throughout his career, The Storm Within sets the record straight. Finally, the life behind the legend - the man behind the mystery - tells his story.
Features a foreword by legendary Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published November 16, 2020
48 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Cameron Smith
1 book1 followerCameron Smith started his NRL career at the Melbourne Storm in 2002 and played for Queensland from 2003 to 2017 and for Australia from 2006 to 2017. He captained all those teams and won numerous NRL titles, State of Origin shields and two World Cups, and received many individual honours including Dally M Player of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 1, 2021
I originally gave this book 4 stars because as a fan of the storm and cam smith, I was pleased to gain some valuable insights. On reflection, and probably in response to being a critical academic, this book didn’t cut it for me. In terms of structure, it did feel as if the reader jumps around in time quite a bit which can make it hard to gauge which game Smith is talking about and when. But that wasn’t my biggest problem, nor was the repetition (we get it Cam, you aren’t driven by emotion- although that’s actually not true but this isn’t going to be a psychological review). My biggest issue was that this was supposed to be a cathartic undertaking for Smith, an opportunity for him to shed light on the good, bad and ugly of his career. Generally speaking he does do some of that, but it comes across as far too superficial and not entirely authentic and accurate. You can’t tell me he has no idea why Cooper Cronk gave him the cold shoulder even though he has known the guy upwards of 20 years! There were moments when he just glossed over these significant issues, while paying heed to things that weren’t entirely new (he has done interviews). I would have liked to hear from his wife more as well (could he have not spared her a chapter). Anyway, this did have some really worthwhile insights into his football brain, but didn’t quite become the inside scoop I suspect people were hoping for....
November 20, 2020
When you think of the flak this guy has copped in his career, then reflect and you realise he has almost never responded to any of it. Family and those he loves are the people whose opinions matter to him, not the media, not the general public.
This is the first we see of his perspective on many things. Overall, a guy who just loves footy - and happens to be awesome at it, the "winningest" player ever. And it's probably that success that see many want to take him down a notch.
Loved the read. Seems a guy I'd love the chance just to yak footy with for a few hours.
This is the first we see of his perspective on many things. Overall, a guy who just loves footy - and happens to be awesome at it, the "winningest" player ever. And it's probably that success that see many want to take him down a notch.
Loved the read. Seems a guy I'd love the chance just to yak footy with for a few hours.
January 22, 2021
Oh gosh. Wish he'd had a better ghost writer...I'm a fan of league and of him as a player and this book left me strangely disappointed. It needed more of something. Either more about his personal life OR playing life ( meaning details on how he maintained fitness or thought during games) ..more something. It feels like an airbrushed overview with a little touch of narkiness and defensiveness.
If he wanted to maintain privacy good for him but don't write the book. If he wanted to set the record straight good for him but warts n all then...if he wanted a playing history then just the footy...you get the idea.
He's a superstar of the sport on so many levels and I think I wanted more of a true inside story on some level.
If he wanted to maintain privacy good for him but don't write the book. If he wanted to set the record straight good for him but warts n all then...if he wanted a playing history then just the footy...you get the idea.
He's a superstar of the sport on so many levels and I think I wanted more of a true inside story on some level.
September 17, 2023
I have been avoiding sports biographies for years. They are usually dull puff pieces that say nothing of depth or interest, this was only slightly different. I read it because I rate Cameron Smith as the fastest footballer between the ears that I have ever seen. He is the smartest and most wiley. This book was a P.R. exercise, but I was able to read enough between the lines to have a sense this was about as truthful as ‘Pravda’ in the former Soviet Union.
The writer spent a lot of time describing Cameron Smith feeling attacked and undermined. Cameron Smith appears to remember, in great detail, every slight against him. The only person I can compare him with is Michael Jordan, another great. Cameron Smith tries to portray himself as an average bloke from Logan put into an unreal life. I think that this is his biggest fib. He has above average determination, ability to ‘skate where the puck is going to be’, resilience and many other qualities that make him the greatest footballer of his generation. I suspect he has great self awareness, but chooses to portray himself over sympathetically. Maybe he believes his own bullshit. A great Richard Feyman quote is ‘The easiest person to fool is yourself’. Cameron Smith must be kidding if he ever thought he could give away rugby league to pursue his dream of becoming an anonymous owner of a lawn mowing business. Now he is retired I doubt he is living his ‘dream’. What are the chances he even mows his own lawn every week, let alone anyone elses? This claim is disingenuous, and a symptom of the ‘Pravda’ he expresses. I wish he could have gratitude for the greatness of what he achieved, both on and off the field. I would love to work with him on individuation and self acceptance.
As a rugby league follower of many years I rate Cameron Smith alongside the great All Black Sean Fitzpatrick as the best referee whisperer I have ever seen. It helped his team gain results. Well done for him. Smith vehemently denies engaging in this, but expressed his belief thathe was a paragon for speaking to referees respectfully (as this was a better way on influencing them). Cameron Smith always had an encyclopedic knowledge of the rules and their application. He was able to ask concise questions of the law and query referees, always to the benefit of his team. Referees always knew he knew the rules as well as he did. The was on display with Alex McKinnon. Alex McKinnon did not deserve to become a paraplegic and that was a terrible outcome. Cameron Smith was correct to recognise that McKinnon did duck his head in order to get a potential faster play of the ball. This contributed to the tragedy. He was not blaming McKinnon for his injury, but advocating that his players had not done anything illegal and that a penalty was not warranted. Smith was always bias towards his own team with referee interpretations (as he should be), and could express this in a concise and articulate manner (well done). He denial of this appears to be ‘pravda’.
The chapter titled ‘Truth’ may have been the most rich in ‘Pravda’. I had no knowledge of his alleged intimate relationship with Yvonne Sampson. Allegations were made in the internet and went viral. Maybe they should have stayed there…. How do you respond to untruth? Denying it has no effect (of course you would deny it like Bill Clinton, people understand the denial). I suspect ignore it. People suspected me of having an affair with a younger colleague and were certain we were. I did hold this colleague in the highest affection and loved her as I would my daughter. As John Irving wrote ‘It is a dirty minded world’. People assume any affection between a man and a woman must end in sex of they are not related. Cameron Smith put many pages into denying the allegation, which may have been best ignored. The ring that was given his wife could have been skipped too, but was further evidence of his feelings of being alienated and attacked.
Most telling was his refutation and the pages dedicated to denying that he was unpopular amongst the playing group over his many years at the Storm. The biggest symptom of this was him being dumbfounded by the lack of a hug from Cooper Cronk after a Roosters vs Storm game. The ghost writer either declined or did not have permission to ask Cooper Cronk about this and quote him. What was missing was interviews and quotes from others: from Team Mates (such as Cooper Cronk) and Craig Bellamy saying what a great bloke he was; from his wife about the ring and other things; from referees saying they did not feel unduly influenced by him; from Alex McKinnon saying ‘no hard feelings, it was an accident and a tragedy’; from Yvonne Sampson regarding his alleged affair. This absence does little to support the veracity of what is written in this book. We only get one persons perspective about Cameron Smith, and that is Cameron Smiths (except in the forward written by Craig Bellamy). The style in which it is written, even when others are quoted it is Cameron Smith quoting them from his own memory. This is either poor journalism or the ghost writer did not have permission to speak to others. This contributes to the impression that this is a puff piece of pravda. I gained the impression that Cameron Smith needs to control himself and those around him. He is far from a normal bloke from Logan. He is a determined and successful man who has achieved highly in his chosen sport. This is the man I would like to meet and get to know, not the parody of Cameron Smith that may have been presented. That would have been a much better book. From a Jungian perspective, this book was mostly persona with little evidence of individuation with a strong underlying shadow.
The writer spent a lot of time describing Cameron Smith feeling attacked and undermined. Cameron Smith appears to remember, in great detail, every slight against him. The only person I can compare him with is Michael Jordan, another great. Cameron Smith tries to portray himself as an average bloke from Logan put into an unreal life. I think that this is his biggest fib. He has above average determination, ability to ‘skate where the puck is going to be’, resilience and many other qualities that make him the greatest footballer of his generation. I suspect he has great self awareness, but chooses to portray himself over sympathetically. Maybe he believes his own bullshit. A great Richard Feyman quote is ‘The easiest person to fool is yourself’. Cameron Smith must be kidding if he ever thought he could give away rugby league to pursue his dream of becoming an anonymous owner of a lawn mowing business. Now he is retired I doubt he is living his ‘dream’. What are the chances he even mows his own lawn every week, let alone anyone elses? This claim is disingenuous, and a symptom of the ‘Pravda’ he expresses. I wish he could have gratitude for the greatness of what he achieved, both on and off the field. I would love to work with him on individuation and self acceptance.
As a rugby league follower of many years I rate Cameron Smith alongside the great All Black Sean Fitzpatrick as the best referee whisperer I have ever seen. It helped his team gain results. Well done for him. Smith vehemently denies engaging in this, but expressed his belief thathe was a paragon for speaking to referees respectfully (as this was a better way on influencing them). Cameron Smith always had an encyclopedic knowledge of the rules and their application. He was able to ask concise questions of the law and query referees, always to the benefit of his team. Referees always knew he knew the rules as well as he did. The was on display with Alex McKinnon. Alex McKinnon did not deserve to become a paraplegic and that was a terrible outcome. Cameron Smith was correct to recognise that McKinnon did duck his head in order to get a potential faster play of the ball. This contributed to the tragedy. He was not blaming McKinnon for his injury, but advocating that his players had not done anything illegal and that a penalty was not warranted. Smith was always bias towards his own team with referee interpretations (as he should be), and could express this in a concise and articulate manner (well done). He denial of this appears to be ‘pravda’.
The chapter titled ‘Truth’ may have been the most rich in ‘Pravda’. I had no knowledge of his alleged intimate relationship with Yvonne Sampson. Allegations were made in the internet and went viral. Maybe they should have stayed there…. How do you respond to untruth? Denying it has no effect (of course you would deny it like Bill Clinton, people understand the denial). I suspect ignore it. People suspected me of having an affair with a younger colleague and were certain we were. I did hold this colleague in the highest affection and loved her as I would my daughter. As John Irving wrote ‘It is a dirty minded world’. People assume any affection between a man and a woman must end in sex of they are not related. Cameron Smith put many pages into denying the allegation, which may have been best ignored. The ring that was given his wife could have been skipped too, but was further evidence of his feelings of being alienated and attacked.
Most telling was his refutation and the pages dedicated to denying that he was unpopular amongst the playing group over his many years at the Storm. The biggest symptom of this was him being dumbfounded by the lack of a hug from Cooper Cronk after a Roosters vs Storm game. The ghost writer either declined or did not have permission to ask Cooper Cronk about this and quote him. What was missing was interviews and quotes from others: from Team Mates (such as Cooper Cronk) and Craig Bellamy saying what a great bloke he was; from his wife about the ring and other things; from referees saying they did not feel unduly influenced by him; from Alex McKinnon saying ‘no hard feelings, it was an accident and a tragedy’; from Yvonne Sampson regarding his alleged affair. This absence does little to support the veracity of what is written in this book. We only get one persons perspective about Cameron Smith, and that is Cameron Smiths (except in the forward written by Craig Bellamy). The style in which it is written, even when others are quoted it is Cameron Smith quoting them from his own memory. This is either poor journalism or the ghost writer did not have permission to speak to others. This contributes to the impression that this is a puff piece of pravda. I gained the impression that Cameron Smith needs to control himself and those around him. He is far from a normal bloke from Logan. He is a determined and successful man who has achieved highly in his chosen sport. This is the man I would like to meet and get to know, not the parody of Cameron Smith that may have been presented. That would have been a much better book. From a Jungian perspective, this book was mostly persona with little evidence of individuation with a strong underlying shadow.
January 29, 2021
Couldn't put it down.. Smashed through it in less than 2 days... It was absolutely fantastic!
I loved reliving all of those memories through Cam's eyes, and so much I learned that I didn't previously know.
5 🌟 are not enough!
I loved reliving all of those memories through Cam's eyes, and so much I learned that I didn't previously know.
5 🌟 are not enough!
January 8, 2021
A nice easy read about the GOAT of this era. Interesting to hear his perspective on things, especially the salary cap scandal!
November 29, 2023
A great book that shows the insides of the rugby league and Melbourne storm club through its lows and highs. Great book about smithy as a leader and leadership in general
December 6, 2020
‘Cameron Smith AM is the most decorated rugby league player of all time. The recipient of numerous Dally M and Golden Boot awards, he has starred in the toughest league competition on the planet every season since he made his NRL debut in 2002. Captaining the Melbourne Storm to multiple premierships, Smith played in a staggering seventeen finals campaigns. An integral member of the record-breaking Queensland teams of 2006-2017, he won eleven State of Origin series. As skipper of the Australian national team for over a decade, he led the Kangaroos to two World Cups. Smith is credited with revolutionising the number nine position. He holds the State of Origin records for most appearances and most wins, as well as the NRL records for most games, goals, points scored, wins and appearances as captain.
This autobiography maps his unique journey in the game: an extraordinary look into the biggest matches and biggest moments, Smith describes his career with great colour and candour, outlining what it takes to climb to the highest level in sport. Talent aside, it is Smith’s intelligence and poise that set him apart, coupled with consistency, durability and longevity that are unlikely to ever be matched. Notoriously private throughout his career, The Storm Within sets the record straight. Finally, the life behind the legend – the man behind the mystery – tells his story.’
This book was awesome.
I am a pretty big fan of Cameron Smith so I was very excited to get my hands on this book. It was everything I had hoped it would be and so much more.
Cameron Smith has done a fantastic job with this book. I was genuinely surprised by how much information was in it; and not just information on his career. There is a lot of person stories in this book showing both Cameron’s feelings about certain situations in his career as well as the effects of his career on his family. This insight it Cameron’s personal life was something I wasn’t expecting for this book, but it became the thing I loved most about it.
I also loved the addition of not one but two photograph sections. I love it when authors include photographs in their books especially in biography’s and autobiographies.
One of the things that I realised pretty quickly about this book was that you don’t have to be a huge Cameron Smith fan to enjoy it. In fact I truly believe that everyone with any interest in NRL or Australian sports in general should read this book. Getting to see what goes on behind the scenes in a professional sport was really an eye opener.
I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about this book. I am so glad that Cameron Smith decided to release this book; it is easily one of the best autobiographies I have ever read, and one of my favourite books of the year.
The Storm Within by Cameron Smith is a must have for all Cameron Smith, NRL, and sports fans in general.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
This autobiography maps his unique journey in the game: an extraordinary look into the biggest matches and biggest moments, Smith describes his career with great colour and candour, outlining what it takes to climb to the highest level in sport. Talent aside, it is Smith’s intelligence and poise that set him apart, coupled with consistency, durability and longevity that are unlikely to ever be matched. Notoriously private throughout his career, The Storm Within sets the record straight. Finally, the life behind the legend – the man behind the mystery – tells his story.’
This book was awesome.
I am a pretty big fan of Cameron Smith so I was very excited to get my hands on this book. It was everything I had hoped it would be and so much more.
Cameron Smith has done a fantastic job with this book. I was genuinely surprised by how much information was in it; and not just information on his career. There is a lot of person stories in this book showing both Cameron’s feelings about certain situations in his career as well as the effects of his career on his family. This insight it Cameron’s personal life was something I wasn’t expecting for this book, but it became the thing I loved most about it.
I also loved the addition of not one but two photograph sections. I love it when authors include photographs in their books especially in biography’s and autobiographies.
One of the things that I realised pretty quickly about this book was that you don’t have to be a huge Cameron Smith fan to enjoy it. In fact I truly believe that everyone with any interest in NRL or Australian sports in general should read this book. Getting to see what goes on behind the scenes in a professional sport was really an eye opener.
I honestly don’t have a bad word to say about this book. I am so glad that Cameron Smith decided to release this book; it is easily one of the best autobiographies I have ever read, and one of my favourite books of the year.
The Storm Within by Cameron Smith is a must have for all Cameron Smith, NRL, and sports fans in general.
Geramie Kate Barker
gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
July 23, 2021
WHY: I saw this on the bookshelves at QBD in February this year, and it fits with my concerted effort to read various sport biographies/ autobiographies for personal interest. Having grown up in Australia, the NRL has been a constant presence in the media but apart from some outdoor classroom activities and lunchtime games when I was younger I've never tried to fully understand the game or its key players. There was no better place to start than with a legend of the modern game, Cameron Smith.
CONTENT: Smith does an excellent job of covering his entire professional playing career, from junior rugby in Logan, QLD to the NRL competition from 2002 to 2020, the year of publication (he ended up announcing his retirement from the game in March 10 2021). I learnt a lot about the coaching staff, styles of play and key opposition members from the Melbourne Storm, QLD Maroons all the way to the Australian team. Conversely, there aren't a lot of private moments or funny teammate stories in here - The Storm Within sticks to recapping Smith's key games and career, as well as providing his perspective on the controversies that arise with being an elite sports star.
WRITING: The chapters were laid out chronologically, and each one was a good digestible length. Smith gives the reader enough information on the sport, personalities and contextual details like the weather to help you envision the atmosphere surrounding an event. He also provides a few thoughts on the reasons behind his individual and team's success, although this isn't designed to be an inspiring or mental guide book, but more an personally approved playing life summary. Smith goes beyond this however by reflecting on the changing nature of the NRL with technology, sensationalism and evolving trends within society. The one personal thing that is clear about his personality and lifestyle is that Smith is strongly loyal to his teammates and club, and prioritises family even higher. The evidence of his on-field mannerisms (his conversations with referees, lack of involvement in fights) and recognition of the sacrifices made by his wife Barbara made me appreciate his voice, and assisted in framing him as an honest and humble country bloke.
WHO: If you've been a massive fan of rugby, I feel like this isn't the book for you - there just isn't enough material on the actual sport itself to warrant a read. If you're a) a massive fan of Cameron Smith or the Melbourne Storm, b) want a recap or introduction into his playing career, or c) are curious as to how an elite athlete's life is impacted by the media, you'll definitely get something from this read.
CONTENT: Smith does an excellent job of covering his entire professional playing career, from junior rugby in Logan, QLD to the NRL competition from 2002 to 2020, the year of publication (he ended up announcing his retirement from the game in March 10 2021). I learnt a lot about the coaching staff, styles of play and key opposition members from the Melbourne Storm, QLD Maroons all the way to the Australian team. Conversely, there aren't a lot of private moments or funny teammate stories in here - The Storm Within sticks to recapping Smith's key games and career, as well as providing his perspective on the controversies that arise with being an elite sports star.
WRITING: The chapters were laid out chronologically, and each one was a good digestible length. Smith gives the reader enough information on the sport, personalities and contextual details like the weather to help you envision the atmosphere surrounding an event. He also provides a few thoughts on the reasons behind his individual and team's success, although this isn't designed to be an inspiring or mental guide book, but more an personally approved playing life summary. Smith goes beyond this however by reflecting on the changing nature of the NRL with technology, sensationalism and evolving trends within society. The one personal thing that is clear about his personality and lifestyle is that Smith is strongly loyal to his teammates and club, and prioritises family even higher. The evidence of his on-field mannerisms (his conversations with referees, lack of involvement in fights) and recognition of the sacrifices made by his wife Barbara made me appreciate his voice, and assisted in framing him as an honest and humble country bloke.
WHO: If you've been a massive fan of rugby, I feel like this isn't the book for you - there just isn't enough material on the actual sport itself to warrant a read. If you're a) a massive fan of Cameron Smith or the Melbourne Storm, b) want a recap or introduction into his playing career, or c) are curious as to how an elite athlete's life is impacted by the media, you'll definitely get something from this read.
January 27, 2022
Born in Queensland in 1983 to a bricklayer father and stay at home mother, Cameron was raised with 2 siblings, and found rugby league early in life. He met future-wife Barb when they were teenagers and one of their early dates was to his own rugby game!
This is predominantly a book about Smith's rugby life, not much beyond it is included. He did achieve a lot; holding the record for the most #NRL matches played (the only player over 400 games), and the highest all-time points scorer. He's won the #DallyM player of the year, Hooker of the year, and Captain of the year many times. He's played for and captained both the Qld and Australian teams in dozens of Representative matches. He can recall moments and details from matches decades ago. The man is clearly obsessed with the game.
On the scandals throughout his career, there's not much detail. He tells his side of the Alex McKinnon incident, and mentions a couple of teammates who got in trouble off the field. On the Salary Cap Scandal he maintains that the players knew nothing and criticises the handling of it, specifically the punishments being given before the investigation was complete, and the inconsistencies when 3 other clubs were later found to have breached the cap.
There's not much on the Players Assoc (which he's President of), the 2020 season or about current Storm players, not even funny stories, which is a bit disappointing.
He clearly respects and likes longtime coach Craig Bellamy. Both have a similar outlook: work hard, do your job, be loyal to your team, ignore the 'noise'. I do wonder if being loyal to them means "keep your mouth shut" though.
.
This is my first sports biography, but it's always interesting to read the perspective of someone who is at the top of their game; get an insight on what it takes to be so good at something. Long book, enjoyable read, but plenty of topics that more could've been said about.
This is predominantly a book about Smith's rugby life, not much beyond it is included. He did achieve a lot; holding the record for the most #NRL matches played (the only player over 400 games), and the highest all-time points scorer. He's won the #DallyM player of the year, Hooker of the year, and Captain of the year many times. He's played for and captained both the Qld and Australian teams in dozens of Representative matches. He can recall moments and details from matches decades ago. The man is clearly obsessed with the game.
On the scandals throughout his career, there's not much detail. He tells his side of the Alex McKinnon incident, and mentions a couple of teammates who got in trouble off the field. On the Salary Cap Scandal he maintains that the players knew nothing and criticises the handling of it, specifically the punishments being given before the investigation was complete, and the inconsistencies when 3 other clubs were later found to have breached the cap.
There's not much on the Players Assoc (which he's President of), the 2020 season or about current Storm players, not even funny stories, which is a bit disappointing.
He clearly respects and likes longtime coach Craig Bellamy. Both have a similar outlook: work hard, do your job, be loyal to your team, ignore the 'noise'. I do wonder if being loyal to them means "keep your mouth shut" though.
.
This is my first sports biography, but it's always interesting to read the perspective of someone who is at the top of their game; get an insight on what it takes to be so good at something. Long book, enjoyable read, but plenty of topics that more could've been said about.
March 28, 2022
As a casual NRL watcher, it seemed odd to read a book like this. A lot of the rugby history references and terms about the complex plays in the game are lost on me. But I do enjoy the State of Origin and love a finals match. Cameron Smith has featured in plenty of those and always been notably integral to every team he's played in. Something about him always seemed genuine and likable, and I can honestly say that reading this book has only reinforced my opinion of him.
It was an easy read, with lots of heartwarming and inspiring moments - even without knowing the ins and outs of the game. He is a great footballer and a lovely person who has achieved great success - he is the sort of person who should write a memoir, and the sort of memoir that most people who watch footy (even just a bit) should read.
It was an easy read, with lots of heartwarming and inspiring moments - even without knowing the ins and outs of the game. He is a great footballer and a lovely person who has achieved great success - he is the sort of person who should write a memoir, and the sort of memoir that most people who watch footy (even just a bit) should read.
January 19, 2025
Not a Storm fan, not a QLD fan but I have to give the man, Cam Smith his flowers. Without being a glazer, ridin' the bandwagon with all the meat glazers.
Even when I was managing my Fantasy NRL team I had guys like Robbie Farrah in a my captain because of my petty proclivities. 🤦🏾♂️ And Cam Smith would always be top tackler for the Storm and he also accrued kicked metre points as well as a try here and there.
Reading this now really was a walk down memory lane.
2016 was a dream year for Cronulla so it was great to read of the Captain of the Storm's experience that year. It actually brought a tear or two to my eyes. 🥹
Great read, well worth the time and I learned a whole lot from a time of life where I was a idly watching the Nrl with all my mates.
Even when I was managing my Fantasy NRL team I had guys like Robbie Farrah in a my captain because of my petty proclivities. 🤦🏾♂️ And Cam Smith would always be top tackler for the Storm and he also accrued kicked metre points as well as a try here and there.
Reading this now really was a walk down memory lane.
2016 was a dream year for Cronulla so it was great to read of the Captain of the Storm's experience that year. It actually brought a tear or two to my eyes. 🥹
Great read, well worth the time and I learned a whole lot from a time of life where I was a idly watching the Nrl with all my mates.
October 11, 2025
I have a particular interest in sports people’s autobiographies and was excited to read this to get a behind the scenes look at one of the best rugby league players. Unfortunately the book turned into Smith constantly whinging about himself and the Storm as a club being wronged by the media. You do feel for him and family when the media crossed the line in the later stages of his career but It didn’t feel like so much attention of this book needed to be directed towards bringing out Smith’s “truths” regarding all the big media stories during his career.
December 21, 2020
Whilst I have been a casual supporter of the Melbourne Storm, I took a much bigger interest in them in 2020 when in lockdown. NRL was good entertainment and the Storm were awesome, and arguably the best sporting team in Australia. This got me interested in Cameron Smith - arguably the best leader of arguably the best sporting team in Australia. The book is an easy read and does cover some interesting topics, but there are some points where Smith does repeat himself a bit.
January 10, 2021
Absolutely enthralling. A legend both in and out of the game. It was so interesting to hear more about the people closest to Cam such as his dad and Barb. Barb is an absolute angel. The way Cam talks about the game is inspiring and anyone with any interest in the NRL, leadership, Australian sports or just decent, inspiring and hardworking humans, needs to read this book. Thank you Cam for this insight into your marvellous career and life!
October 9, 2021
As an AFL fan, I learnt so much about the game of NRL from Cameron Smith. I just thought the lessons he has learnt on and off the field has helped him become a better person. From not being selected in rep teams when he was younger, it fuelled him to achieve success where it he would work so hard during pre-season to be ready for the season. It is a testament that Cam hold many records in NRL and deserves all the honours because of the hard work he put in.
March 2, 2021
Superficially entertaining, but lacking any real substance. Half of the book is play-by-play text descriptions of footy games I've already seen, and the other half is Cam complaining about the media. Pick this one up if you're a diehard Storm fan - otherwise, do yourself a favour and pick up JT's autobiography instead.
April 6, 2024
A true freak of the game! This book uncovers just how much work, respect and dedication Cameron Smith put into his craft.
As a Storm fan this book held me captive I just wanted to read more and more. Such a gentleman of the sport, a true clubman and I loved reading about moments we were there to witness in his amazing career!
Written so well and raw
As a Storm fan this book held me captive I just wanted to read more and more. Such a gentleman of the sport, a true clubman and I loved reading about moments we were there to witness in his amazing career!
Written so well and raw
October 17, 2024
It's not 2 stars cos it's bad, it's good, u can read it on a plane or in a weekend, it's good. Cam smith is wildly successful and so nonplussed about it, whack. There's some bits in there about his family that are really really lovely and beautiful actually. I reckon The Accountant might make the perfect neighbour. 2/5
June 21, 2025
Good story of a great player. Definitely a worthy title for an amazing player.
Love how it starts from his childhood, and how he decided to sign with the storm. Imagine he signed with the Broncos, would’ve been a whole different game today.
Love how it starts from his childhood, and how he decided to sign with the storm. Imagine he signed with the Broncos, would’ve been a whole different game today.
November 27, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed reading. Great to finally read Cameron's side and follow what he went through with the media. Very pleased to see he didn't put anyone down. Great book.
April 1, 2021
3.5 stars
August 6, 2021
Really enjoyed reading Cameron’s book. It covered his whole amazing career. We learned so much about him and his club and many of his teammates and coaches. Thoroughly recommend.
October 13, 2021
Such a great book for lovers of the game and others.
November 18, 2021
At the upper most level of sports books written for any generation.
December 29, 2021
One of the best football books that i have read, which isn't many. Gives a good insight into the players life and times . struck me as being quite honest.
February 27, 2023
This has to be one of the dullest sports biographies I've ever read. If you're in it for the juicy gossip or a look into the eye of the salary cap storm, you'll be sorely disappointed. If you're in it for some rugby league insight from the game's most successful and winningest player, you'll be sorely disappointed. If you're in it to relive the great moments of Cameron Smith's career in the Purple, Maroon, Green and Gold, you'll be sorely disappointed.
I think many hoped that the man who has presented the emotional range of a brick might finally lighten up now that his watch has ended.
Wrong.
I'm trying to think what I learned from this book, as a rugby league fan but not a Melbourne Storm fanatic, I thought there'd be plenty to find out. Unfortunately, there wasn't. Cameron Smith confirms everything we thought about the various people in his life.
Craig Bellamy is exactly who we think he is. A hard arse with an obsession for football and high performance.
Everyone at the Storm works hard, Melbourne Storm trainings are really tough, SHOCK.
Tim Sheens is the most technical coach in the game and gives a very proscribed game plan, GOSH.
Mal Meninga and Bennett are more man managers than technical masterminds, surprise, surprise.
I felt like I knew almost everything he talked about. Probably the only scandal to come out of this will be his talk about Brett Finch as a lovable rogue which has now aged like milk in the sun.
There were a few little titbits about what he's thinking from dummy half and how he chooses what play to make but that's probably 2 out of the 400 pages.
It also seems that one of his main goals is to address every scandal or thing that's been said about him and have the last word. So we get his sterile take on Salary Cap scandal, Alex McKinnon, Cooper Cronk break-up, retirement drama etc. But it's all just so boring. There's no insight, just stock standard responses as if he's back fronting a judiciary or the media.
Smith also has an inability to take what happened to him and discuss it as a wider issue about Rugby League, the NRL, or professional sports. There's no lessons applicable beyond his own life. I was astounded to learn he doesn't watch the Grand Final if he's not playing in it? I really want an explanation of why. Has he already seen all possible futures play out? Does he not actually enjoy the game as much as he says? I find it hard to believe that a Queensland diehard had to run inside at the urging of his wife to turn the TV on to watch an all Queensland Grand Final and one of his great friends (JT) kick a game winning field goal just because he wasn't interested in the game.
I also don't think he approached a single person he talks about in this book to get their perspective. Is he really asking us to believe that his best mate Cooper Cronk (who he lived with and drove to practice for years) gave him the cold shoulder after he moved to the Roosters and they've just never discussed why. Surely, even if just for this biography call your ex-best friend and find out why he did that.
Also poor old Barb, who really seems to be a saint gets the constant she's so amazing but her voice is never actually heard. Why didn't he ask her for her perspective on things?
The best sports biographies are gripping and uplifting, they offer a peek into a world most of us will never know. They also offer us a side to a person we think we know really well but don't actually know at all. Cameron Smith is the greatest player the game has ever seen but if you judged the man by his biography you would think he actually was the boring accountant he's always accused of looking like.
I also don't know where Andrew Webster was in all this writing, he gets credit on the spine but frankly he hasn't done anything to make the book readable. The narrative jumps around considerably, there's a vague chronological progression but the chapters aren't always progressing just as the action within each chapter shudders along at an irregular pace. If Webster has actually completed some sort of herculean task in getting this book done then Smith must have given him 3 lines on the back of a bar coaster. As it stands I don't think Webster is going to have retired players knocking his door down to write their biographies. I'm so glad I didn't pay the full freight $40 this cost when it first came out. For a much better biography from the same period read JT's.
I think many hoped that the man who has presented the emotional range of a brick might finally lighten up now that his watch has ended.
Wrong.
I'm trying to think what I learned from this book, as a rugby league fan but not a Melbourne Storm fanatic, I thought there'd be plenty to find out. Unfortunately, there wasn't. Cameron Smith confirms everything we thought about the various people in his life.
Craig Bellamy is exactly who we think he is. A hard arse with an obsession for football and high performance.
Everyone at the Storm works hard, Melbourne Storm trainings are really tough, SHOCK.
Tim Sheens is the most technical coach in the game and gives a very proscribed game plan, GOSH.
Mal Meninga and Bennett are more man managers than technical masterminds, surprise, surprise.
I felt like I knew almost everything he talked about. Probably the only scandal to come out of this will be his talk about Brett Finch as a lovable rogue which has now aged like milk in the sun.
There were a few little titbits about what he's thinking from dummy half and how he chooses what play to make but that's probably 2 out of the 400 pages.
It also seems that one of his main goals is to address every scandal or thing that's been said about him and have the last word. So we get his sterile take on Salary Cap scandal, Alex McKinnon, Cooper Cronk break-up, retirement drama etc. But it's all just so boring. There's no insight, just stock standard responses as if he's back fronting a judiciary or the media.
Smith also has an inability to take what happened to him and discuss it as a wider issue about Rugby League, the NRL, or professional sports. There's no lessons applicable beyond his own life. I was astounded to learn he doesn't watch the Grand Final if he's not playing in it? I really want an explanation of why. Has he already seen all possible futures play out? Does he not actually enjoy the game as much as he says? I find it hard to believe that a Queensland diehard had to run inside at the urging of his wife to turn the TV on to watch an all Queensland Grand Final and one of his great friends (JT) kick a game winning field goal just because he wasn't interested in the game.
I also don't think he approached a single person he talks about in this book to get their perspective. Is he really asking us to believe that his best mate Cooper Cronk (who he lived with and drove to practice for years) gave him the cold shoulder after he moved to the Roosters and they've just never discussed why. Surely, even if just for this biography call your ex-best friend and find out why he did that.
Also poor old Barb, who really seems to be a saint gets the constant she's so amazing but her voice is never actually heard. Why didn't he ask her for her perspective on things?
The best sports biographies are gripping and uplifting, they offer a peek into a world most of us will never know. They also offer us a side to a person we think we know really well but don't actually know at all. Cameron Smith is the greatest player the game has ever seen but if you judged the man by his biography you would think he actually was the boring accountant he's always accused of looking like.
I also don't know where Andrew Webster was in all this writing, he gets credit on the spine but frankly he hasn't done anything to make the book readable. The narrative jumps around considerably, there's a vague chronological progression but the chapters aren't always progressing just as the action within each chapter shudders along at an irregular pace. If Webster has actually completed some sort of herculean task in getting this book done then Smith must have given him 3 lines on the back of a bar coaster. As it stands I don't think Webster is going to have retired players knocking his door down to write their biographies. I'm so glad I didn't pay the full freight $40 this cost when it first came out. For a much better biography from the same period read JT's.
May 19, 2024
Listened as audio book.
Was okay, was a bit descriptive of his events rather than getting truely deep and analytical of his live events within and outside of footy.
Would have liked some deeper insights of what made him him, rather than just a timeline of his life.
Good for a listen in the car either way.
Up the Bronx.
Was okay, was a bit descriptive of his events rather than getting truely deep and analytical of his live events within and outside of footy.
Would have liked some deeper insights of what made him him, rather than just a timeline of his life.
Good for a listen in the car either way.
Up the Bronx.
August 4, 2021
Great book ... Even better player. Happy retirement, can't see some of his records been beat
June 17, 2021
If put on the spot, I’d be battling to name five NRL players, but Cameron Smith would be the first I’d spit out, or ‘Smithy’ rather (we’re on nickname terms now after spending an intimate weekend together). Whether you’re a fanatic or apathetic towards the game itself, there’s no denying the presence this man has been within the code and world of professional sport in general. I was interested to see what goes on in the wings of the floodlit, turfed stages where the likes of Smithy entertain us with their feats of athleticism and grit. Politics, the media, world events, and personal lives have changed the game drastically over the two decades that Smithy’s been a key player. For the better? Your call ref.
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