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Premiership-winning coach Michael Maguire has signalled his intent to win back-to-back titles after it was revealed that the Brisbane Broncos boss have hired Cameron Smith to join his coaching team for the 2026 season.
The 42-year-old National Rugby League Hall Of Fame inductee retired following Melbourne's Grand Final victory in 2020, and since then, Smith has been working as a pundit for Channel Nine. He has worked as an assistant to Maroons boss Billy Slater.
According to The Courier Mail, the 2006 and 2017 Dally M Medallist, who has also held roles with the Kangaroos, is now set to join up with the Broncos as an advisor to Maguire.
Brisbane's coaching staff and CEO Dave Donaghy met up in Noosa last week to plan their title defence and, according to the outlet, Smith was also present to take part in the meetings.
It interestingly comes after the Broncos defeated Smith's Melbourne Storm in the NRL Grand Final in October, to end their 19-year long premiership drought.
His relationship with Maguire goes back to 2004, when the Broncos senior coach worked as an assistant to former Storm chief Craig Bellamy.
The Brisbane Broncos are set to appoint former Melbourne Storm star Cameron Smith (pictured) to a coaching advisory role with the club
The move is a serious mark of intent for Michael Maguire's (pictured) side who are looking to defend their premiership title next year
Smith (left) has been working in a media role with Channel Nine since his retirement in 2020. The footy star has also worked as an assistant to Queensland boss Billy Slater
In fact, Smith, who made 42 appearances for the Maroons, had contacted Bellamy to ask for his blessing to join up with the Broncos, according to the outlet.
Smith enjoyed a glittering career at the top of the game, with the hooker scoring 48 tries across 433 appearances for Melbourne.
He would also go on to win premierships in 2012 and 2017 with the Victorian club.
It comes after the Broncos failed on multiple attempts to coax the former Melbourne star to the club.
The first ploy came in 2014, when Anthony Griffin attempted to sign him from Melbourne. Kevin Walters also tried in 2021, but Smith, instead, opted to call time on his career.
Fans online have been left stunned by the appointment, with Brisbane Broncos supporters starting to get excited about the upcoming season.
'Does Dave Donaghy have the keys to the city yet?' one wrote on Reddit.
'Who would've thought that after all the years he spent f***ing us over that cam smith would join the broncos coaching staff,' another added.
Smith enjoyed a glittering career at the top of the game, with the hooker scoring 48 tries across 433 appearances for Melbourne
Broncos fans on social media said the signing 'felt like a fever dream' in disbelief at the major coup
'This feels like a fever dream that I never want to wake up from,' another said.
However, the move may have left a bitter taste in the mouth for some Melbourne fans.
'This is wild. Thought he would never do anything for another club except Storm,' one wrote.
His exact role at the club is still set to be finalised, but The Courier Mail adds that he is set to work with the playing group in a 'mentoring' position.
