Jeremy Smith (born 14 April 1980) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. A New Zealand international representative, he played as a and . He played for the Melbourne Storm, the St. George Illawarra Dragons, with whom he won the 2010 NRL Grand Final with, the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Newcastle Knights, who he co-captained, in the NRL. Background Of Samoan heritage, Smith was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. He is a cousin of Kalifa Faifai Loa. Smith was educated at Coombabah State High School. Smith played his junior football for the Altona Roosters in Melbourne, Victoria before moving to Queensland to play for Runaway Bay Seagulls RLFC. In 2001, Smith was signed by the Northern Eagles, but was sacked by coach Peter Sharp. He returned to Queensland, eventually finding his way to play for Melbourne Storm feeder club, Norths Devils in the Queensland Cup. In 2004, Smith was named Devils Player of the Year. Professional playing career Melbourne Storm In round 23 of the 2004 NRL season Smith made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm against the Canberra Raiders. He scored a try on debut. Smith didn't play first-grade in 2005 but became a regular first-grader in 2006. The Storm reached the 2006 NRL Grand Final and Smith was selected to play from the interchange bench in the loss to the Broncos. He played in the 2007 NRL Grand Final win over the Sea Eagles, again selected off the interchange. In 2010, the premiership that Smith won with Melbourne was stripped by the NRL due to the club's major and deliberate breaches of the salary cap. After winning the 2007 NRL Grand Final with the Melbourne Storm, Smith was selected for the 2007 All Golds tour. Not to be confused with compatriot and namesake Jeremy James Smith, both Jeremy Smiths were named in the rugby league Centenary clash of 14 October 2007, Jeremy James Smith in the number 7 jersey and Jeremy Jon Oscar Smith in the number 13 jersey. In August 2008, Smith was named in the New Zealand training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Later in the season Smith played in the 2008 NRL Grand Final defeat by Manly, starting in the . Smith signed a 3-year contract with the St. George Illawarra Dragons starting in 2009 to be a part of the new