The fanfare surrounding Cameron Smith's record-breaking 400th game against the Sharks on Saturday night is proving to be no distraction for experienced Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy.
Smith will become the first player in the history of the NRL to play 400 matches when he runs on to AAMI Park this weekend and Bellamy said his focus has remained on ensuring his players were ready to embrace the occasion.
The veteran hooker got all his media commitments out of the way earlier in the week and since then it has all been about preparing for the visit of the Sharks for Bellamy and the Storm coaching staff.
"We got most of the acknowledgement of Cameron's milestone done earlier in the week on Monday...since then we have been preparing for the game to hopefully celebrate the proper way," Bellamy said at AAMI Park on Friday.
"The rest of the week we have been planning like it's any other game."
Smith and Bellamy have been two of the mainstays at the Storm over the past 17 seasons, with the pair playing a major part in much of the club's recent success after starting their careers in Melbourne just 12 months apart.
They have won two premierships together (2012 & 2017) and shared many memories on the field and become even better friends off the field as their relationship has continued to blossom.
Past players pay tribute to Cameron Smith
Bellamy is renowned for directing his famous sprays at the majority of his playing group, but the veteran coach revealed Smith has usually been lucky enough to escape his wrath.
"I don't think I have ever given him a spray," Bellamy said.
"I had a little chat to him once about four or six weeks into a pre-season where I was pretty honest with him as I didn't think he pushed himself enough at training.
"He was always a cool customer and never really looked uncomfortable and I think (during) pre-season training you should be uncomfortable at times.
"To his credit he took that on board as that was 17 or 18 years ago in the first year he was here and we haven't had that chat since."
Just how long Smith continues at the top level remains to be seen, but Bellamy said any retirement decision over the coming years would fall directly to the man himself.
"The way he is playing at the moment, I think he will play for as long as he wants," Bellamy said.
"Personally, I loved playing the game and my mentality was play as long as I could.
"I am not sure what his mentality is, but I don't think he will have to make a decision straight away.
"It's all about how his body is holding up and how willing he is to work hard to play his best footy."
The Storm are hopeful of having all their Origin stars available for Smith's record-breaking night, but vice-captain Jesse Bromwich remains in doubt for the clash due to illness.
Bellamy said Bromwich had been a notable absentee from the club during the week and that the big forward will need to get through training on Friday and get the all clear from the medical staff if he is to take on the Sharks.
Be there to witness history as Cameron Smith plays his milestone match - Tickets available
