Cameron Smith is contemplating retirement after being worn down by criticism, according to Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy and playmaker Cameron Munster, who has declared "a lot of people need to show more respect" to the future league Immortal.

Bellamy sprang a surprise on stage at the Dally M awards in Sydney on Wednesday night when he revealed the competition's most capped player was having second thoughts about playing on in 2020 in what would be his 19th season.

While it would come as a bigger shock if Smith was to walk away from rugby league and his $1 million deal at the Storm, those close to him including Bellamy concede the intense scrutiny has taken its toll on him and his family.

"At the end of the day there has to be a time when all players finish, sometimes it's because of family, sometimes it's other things," Bellamy told the Herald.