The NRL has struck a special medal to honour Melbourne captain Cameron Smith, who will on Saturday break the all-time record for NRL matches.
Smith will be presented with the medal by NRL CEO Todd Greenberg following the Melbourne-Parramatta Qualifying Final at AAMI Park, which will be his 356th NRL match.
Smith will break Darren Lockyer's all-time premiership appearance record of 355 matches against the Eels.
Like Lockyer, Smith has played all matches for one club.
"This is quite simply an extraordinary achievement," NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said.
"He has been an incredible player over the course of his long career with Melbourne, but more than that, he has been a wonderful leader and an ambassador for rugby league.
"It will be a privilege to be in Melbourne to be a part of the celebrations for this momentous achievement.
"As a game, we felt it was necessary to honour the achievement with something unique.
"The game owes Cameron an enormous debt of gratitude and on behalf of the NRL, I congratulate him on this magnificent achievement."
The concept was created by the NRL's Awards and Recognition Committee, and will be replicated for further significant records in the game. It will be the first medal of its kind presented to a player.
#CAM356 #NRLFinals #NRL pic.twitter.com/u5P08xQV4E
— NRL (@NRL) September 6, 2017
THE 300 CLUB (29 players)
Appearances Player Club/s Years
355 Darren Lockyer: Brisbane - 1995-2011
355 Cameron Smith: Melbourne - 2002-2017
350 Terry Lamb: Wests, Canterbury - 1980-1996
349 Steve Menzies: Manly, Northern Eagles - 1993-2008
347 Corey Parker: Brisbane - 2001-2016
336 Brad Fittler: Penrith, Sydney Roosters - 1989-2004
332 Cliff Lyons: Norths, Manly - 1985-1999
330 Nathan Hindmarsh: Parramatta - 1998-2012
328 Andrew Ettingshausen: Cronulla - 1983-2000
325 Geoff Gerard: Parramatta, Manly, Penrith - 1974-1989
320 Cooper Cronk: Melbourne - 2004-2017
318 Jason Croker: Canberra - 1991-2006
317 Hazem El Masri: Bulldogs - 1996-2009
316 Chris Heighington: Wests Tigers, Cronulla - 2003-2017
315 Paul Langmack: Canterbury, Wests, Easts - 1983-1999
315 Luke Priddis: Canberra, Brisbane, Penrith, St George Illawarra - 1997-2010
313 Steve Price: Bulldogs, Warriors - 1994-2009
313 Brent Kite: St George Illawarra, Manly, Penrith - 2002-2015
312 Ruben Wiki: Canberra, Warriors - 1993-2008
309 Petero Civoniceva: Brisbane, Penrith - 1998-2012
307 Brett Kimmorley: N’castle, Hunter, Melb, N Eagles, Cronulla, C’bury - 1995-2010
306 Luke Lewis: Penrith, Cronulla - 2001-2017
305 Ryan Hoffman: Melbourne, Warriors - 2003-2017
303 Paul Gallen: Cronulla - 2001-2017
303 Anthony Watmough: Northern Eagles, Manly, Parramatta - 2002-2015
302 Anthony Minichiello: Sydney Roosters - 2000-2014
301 Luke Ricketson: Sydney Roosters - 1991-2005
300 Scott Prince: North Qld, Brisbane, Wests Tigers, Gold Coast - 1998-2013
300 John Morris: Newcastle, Parramatta, Wests Tigers, Cronulla - 2001-2014
