Sep 7th, 2017

Sep 7th, 2017

Andrew Johns is widely regarded as the greatest player to ever lace up a footy boot but as far as he's concerned that honour deserves to go to Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith.

Smith will break yet another milestone on Saturday night when he plays his 356th first grade game in the Storm's qualifying final against Parramatta at AAMI Park, pushing him past the milestone set by former Brisbane champion Darren Lockyer (355).

The NRL has commissioned a special medal to recognise the honour which will be presented to Smith at the conclusion of the game by NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg.

The Melbourne captain has already broken a host of records this season, won the Anzac Test, the State of Origin series and is heavily favoured to guide the Storm home to a premiership, which would spark further talk that he will join Andrew Johns as a rugby league Immortal in due course.

Andrew Johns has hailed Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith as the greatest player he's ever seen. (Getty)

"I think he's the best, I think he's the very best," Johns said.

"I didn't understand footy that well but I sat as a young fan and hated what Wally Lewis used to do to us in State of Origin.

"Wally will always be the greatest player ever to play Origin, but for me I think Cameron Smith is the greatest player ever.

"He plays in the toughest position, he plays 80 minutes, he doesn't get injured and just his attention to detail, the way he sees the game, we all have a laugh about his body and how he's not ripped up but he's a footy player.

"You can see he's so smart. He literally is a couple of tackles ahead of other players. He uses the ball, he's always got it two hands, he waves it around and defenders are mesmerised by it. They sit there and look at the ball, they get stuck in the mud, they get on their heels and then he leaves them.

Cameron Smith guided Queensland to another State of Origin series win against NSW this season. (AAP)

"He's not the strongest, he's not the fastest, but he's the smartest and for me the greatest player to ever play the game."

Johns also praised Smith's efforts as captain for Melbourne, Queensland and Australia.

"I think in the modern era he'll go down as one of the greatest captains the country has ever had but still has that little bit of lad in him," Johns said.

"I know after a big game when they're away on tour – and I love this story – he gets the players in the sheds and they stay in the shed. I understand the third Origin this year he didn't get out of his playing kit until about five in the morning.

"That just says to me what it means for him to be in a team, what his jersey means to him whether it's the Storm jersey, Queensland jersey, or Australian jersey.

"I love watching him play, he's a true great of our game."

Smith, 34, has not ruled out playing on to reach the 400-game milestone but Johns indicated he could go well beyond that.

Cameron Smith has already broken a host of NRL records this season. (AAP)

"It's up to him but I think he could play for maybe another two, three or four years depending on how his body is but also his motivation," Johns said.

"His game isn't built on speed, it's built on smarts and it's great to see that his body is not breaking down.

"Normally you get over 30, Father Time starts knocking, and the body starts breaking down, but for Cameron it doesn't.

"It speaks volumes for his durability and his professionalism.

"If I had a hat, I'd tip my hat to you Cameron, even if you are a Queenslander."