BY KANE AUSTIN

Excuse the legendary Cameron Smith for contradicting himself. The Queensland captain has played 39 games for his beloved Maroons but gave a puzzling response when asked when he’d pull down the curtain on his glittering State of Origin career.

At first Smith said no player knew how long they had left before finishing by saying every player did know when to hang up the boots.

“None of us know how long we’ve got left, really,” said Smith.

“Only Johnathan [Thurston] has put an end date on it. Cooper’s [Cronk] future is up in the air as well. Next year there could be half the side gone and we’ve got a new team.

“I don’t feel any pressure to stay around and help those guys through.

“I like to think in my past 39 matches I’ve put the team in a good position to move forward.

“Every player knows when it’s time to finish. I’m yet to make that decision.”

Maroons fans shouldn’t be worried about their dear old skipper just yet.

But if his teammates wheel him out tonight in a wheelchair with a blanket over his legs than it may be time to panic.

Smith will play alongside rookie half Anthony Milford who was just 9 when Smith debuted for Queensland.