Cameron Smith's heartbreaking admission after family tragedy just weeks before Hall of Fame nod

Cameron Smith choked back tears while paying a heartwarming tribute to his late mother after being inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame on Wednesday night. Ron Coote had the honour of being named the game's 14th Immortal during a glitzy awards night in Sydney, where Melbourne legend Smith was joined by former Storm teammates Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater in one of rugby league's most illustrious clubs.

Smith was tipped by many to be named the 14th Immortal but admitted recently that he was embarrassed to be compared with some of the legendary figures of the game, and even nominated Coote as one of his favourites to get the nod for the incredible honour. However, the former Storm, Maroons and Kangaroos captain rightfully took his place in the Hall of Fame after an incredible career that spanned a record 430 games in the NRL.

The 41-year-old played a staggering 42 Origin matches for Queensland, 56 Tests for Australia and won three premierships after playing in eight grand finals. And in emotional scenes as he accepted his Hall of Fame jacket on Wednesday night, Smith admitted none of it would have been possible without the unwavering support of his late mother Sonia, who died last month at the age of 66.

"I think she'd be pretty chuffed at this," a teary Smith told the 250 guests gathered for the awards night in Sydney. "Every person that comes up on stage tonight to receive their jacket, they don't get there alone. They get there through the help of many people. The teammates they play with, the coaches, administration ... but most importantly, their family. Mum was a big part of my life, a big part of my football career. She loved the game of rugby league."

Smith's mother Sonia suffered a brain aneurysm on July 24, leaving the Melbourne Storm and Queensland Maroons champion devastated. Sonia was a life member of the Logan Brothers club in Queensland, where Smith played as a junior. And over 800 Logan Brothers players wore black armbands and held a minute's silence after her passing, with Smith hailing his late mother's incredible contribution to his career.

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"She was heavily involved in my junior football in particular, Smith said on Wednesday night. "She's a life member of my junior football club, Logan Brothers. She did a tremendous amount of work there for 20-odd years." Smith's Hall of Fame nod was just reward for an extraordinary 19-year career at the Storm that saw him win almost every honour in the sport and regarded as the greatest hooker of all time.

Cameron Smith enters NRL Hall of Fame after incredible career

Despite missing out on being named the game's next Immortal on Wednesday night, most league fans agree that it's a matter of when, not if, the legendary No.9 joins rugby league's most exclusive club. And the 41-year-old says he puts his latest honour right up there alongside his three premierships, State of Origin series victories, World Cup success and two Dally M Medals.

“It sits pretty high on the achievements on a personal level and it’s pretty surreal to be honest that I’ve been inducted into the hall of fame with so many wonderful people and wonderful rugby league players that have contributed so much to the game,” Smith said. The game that we all love, the game that I’ve loved since I was a little boy and still love the same way to this day.

“I think what makes it even more special tonight is that I get to go in with a lot of my good friends, particularly Billy (Slater), JT (Johnathan Thurston), Coops (Cooper Cronk), GI (Greg Inglis), guys that I played a lot of rugby league with. That’s the thing I look back on now I’ve been out of the game nearly four years and there was a few wins and some premierships and State of Origin games and Test matches along the way. But it’s the memories that I have made with those particular people that I cherish most.”