Melbourne Storm great Billy Slater played the entirety of his 319-game NRL career alongside Cameron Smith.
Both men can be credited for much of the success the other has had in their careers. They lifted each other and backed their teammate every time they took to the field, and it reflected in their results at club and Origin level.
Bellamy's Storm quickly became the gold-standard for professionalism in the league, while the Maroons' Origin dynasty would have been nothing without Melbourne's big-three.
In 2018, Slater made the tough decision to call time on his career, hanging up his boots following the Storm's grand final loss to the Roosters.
At 35-years old there were no qualms over the timing of the decision. Slater laid his body on the line every time he took to the field with his unparalleled athleticism at fullback.
But two-years-on, his long-time teammate just keeps going as he prepares for a grand final showdown against the Panthers on Sunday
"It is an amazing achievement and I can't believe he is still going around performing at that sort of level," Slater said of Smith on Sky Sports Radio's The Big Sports Breakfast.
Not many can believe it, which is why the question of Smith's possible retirement following Sunday's grand final fails to fade away.
It's been the unrelenting topic of the back-end of 2020, even amid a once-in-a-century pandemic affected season, and one that will chase Smith, no matter how hard he may try to deflect it, into the premiership decider.
With the wider league none-the-wiser to Smith's decision, Slater revealed that the veteran Storm skipper had sought his counsel amid the ceaseless speculation and countless questions thrown at him at every corner.
"Yeah I am good mates with him and he is such a humble guy that he genuinely doesn't know whether he wants to retire just yet," Slater said.
"You're a long time retired and once your body goes it goes, so there is no having a year off and then changing your mind.
"I have had those conversations with Cam and it is a really tough decision for him because he is getting to the age where he knows it is coming to an end, but is this year the last one? I'm not too sure.
"I think he is just enjoying what he is doing and he wants to give him and his team the best chance of winning this premiership and then make a decision off the back of that.
"He has said in the past that holding the trophy up at the end of this year will certainly have an impact on his decision."
Slater believed the possibility of another displaced COVID-affected season in 2020 would also play a key factor in his former teammate's decision.
"There is also the matter of what happens next year and let's not forget the Melbourne Storm are trying to win the comp out of a suitcase," Slater said.
"They've lived away from home for five months and played two home games all season. It is an incredible achievement for this group of people.
"Cameron Smith is a very family orientated person and he has been away from his family for a lot of this season.
"I'm sure if things continued in the current fashion next season that would impact his decision as well."
"It just shows you the durability and competitiveness he still has in his game. He will go down as one of our greats."
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