Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy has admitted it would have been "strange" to see Cameron Smith suit up for a rival NRL club after the icon called time on his career.
Smith ended a summer of speculation this afternoon, when he announced that last October's grand final triumph over the Panthers would be his final NRL game.
MORE: Cameron Smith retires after iconic 430-game career
While the prospect of Smith retiring had lone been mooted, potential moves to either the Gold Coast Titans or Brisbane Broncos fuelled alternative speculation for the 37-year-old over the off-season.
Speaking at Smith's retirement press conference, Bellamy insisted that he would have remained Smith's No.1 fan, even if he had left the Storm for a rival.
"As I said when he told me this morning, I was always genuine in what I said last year in that he deserves the right to make the decision when he and his family were ready," Bellamy said.
"For me, the most important thing was that Cameron and his family be happy with that decision, and I still stand by that.
"I think it would have been strange for me to watch him in another jumper, but that's obviously not going to happen. At the same time, I would have been his No.1 supporter, even if he might have been playing against us.
"I was genuine in whatever his decision was and whatever made he and his family happy, that was the right decision for us and everybody."
With Smith's 430-game career now in the books, Bellamy said it was an easy decision to anoint him as the greatest player in rugby league history.
"He's the greatest player I've ever seen," he said.
"From what he's done, his record of well over 400 games, no one's gone over 400 games and he's also played over 100 representative games for Australia and Queensland in that time.
"With the success he's had as captain as well, it's quite remarkable and hasn't been done in the game before. I really can't see it happening again.
"It is hard to describe his effect on our club and his effect on the game, but the biggest thing for me is how long he's done it for.
"We've had other great players who have contributed heavily to the quality of our game, but to do it for nearly 20 years, that's unparalleled.
"I have no hesitation in my opinion that he's the best player the game has ever seen."
After joking that he would switch roles with Smith and retire himself, while allowing the ex-skipper to coach the Storm, Bellamy indicated that he'd like to see Smith retain an off-field role at the club.
"Hopefully we can keep Cameron involved in the club," he said.
"If we can have him giving advice to our ruck players and certainly our young dummy-halves, his leadership is unparalleled.
"Just helping the guys with those leadership traits around the club. There's a whole heap of things we'd love him to do with us, but he needs to decide what his next step is and what he wants to do with his life, whether it's in footy or not."
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