Smith told Fairfax Media 12 days ago in his last one-on-one interview before Tuesday's announcement that he "would know when the time is for me to step out" and since then the tom-tom drums that had been beating for months have grown increasingly louder. Former NRL CEO Dave Smith. Credit:Edwina Pickles Those who know him best expected Smith to stay on until the television deal was completed, as to quit before then may be interpreted as a failure. His tenure has been anything but that after overseeing the strongest period of financial growth in the code's 108 year history. However, others believed his exit may be required to secure a deal with Fox Sports for the pay-tv rights. Smith is not viewed favourably in the New York headquarters of the Murdoch empire after the way negotiations had been handled so far. The toll the job has taken on his family is also said to have been a factor, and the Welsh-born former banker, who had never previously been involved in sports administration, was even criticised last week for attending the Rugby World Cup match between Australia and Wales in a Welsh jersey.

Asked about his future just days after this month's epic grand final between North Queensland and Brisbane, Smith told Fairfax Media: "As an ambition three years ago to create this big community sport I think we are well on track with that and I am really pleased with the way we have ended the season. You feel like you are making a bit of a difference and if you are making a bit of a difference that is good. I have always said I will know when the time is for me to step out and when the time is right I will". Smith leaves on a high after the grand final, which re-affirmed the worth of the NRL to broadcasters after a second year in which the premiership decider and State of Origin made up the top three most watched programs on Australian television. He has also played an influential role in helping to convince the NSW government to invest $1.6 billion in stadium re-development projects at Parramatta, Moore Park and the Olympic precinct, and overseen consecutive $50 million surpluses for the NRL, with a similar profit expected this year. However, Smith has also been at odds with club bosses over the management of the game's finances and there had been speculation that his relationship was deteroriating with ARLC chairman John Grant, who will take on executive responsibilities until a new chief executive is found. "At the end of the day, you are the CEO of a big public organisation and it is a job that demands strong leadership," Smith recently told Fairfax Media.

"I have always said I am my own man, and I am my own man. The fact of the matter is that John and I have a great working relationship but that doesn't mean we always agree and we don't. "Any speculation is just that - speculation - and between us I think we have driven the game forward significantly. "I think there is a lot to do and I think there is a massive opportunity for the game and I think the foundations that are increasingly going in - and which are building on something that was pretty strong anyway - mean that the game can take its rightful place as the No.1 sporting community in the country."