Pretty much everything you mentioned Cameron Smith can do equally if not better in my opinion,
Passing Game - Cameron Smith is one of the best passers in the NRL especially when he runs from Dummy Half and sets up attacks and Line Breaks for guys like Slater and Cronk, it's a key part of the Storm attack, wouldn't be able to tell you how many of his passes have lead to line breaks, Line break assists would be off the chart.
Kicking Game - Kicking game is sublime, go back and watch Origin 1, his kicking game was what won QLD that game, the game was in their own half for about 10 minutes, 2 or 3 incredible long range kicks and QLD got control of the game and went on to win when all the momentum was with the opposition, plenty of the Storms tries came from his kicks, most of them to Slater.
Tackling - Smith has been considered for many years as the best defender in Rugby league, has averaged over 40 tackles a game for as long as I can remember.
Versatility - Maybe goes to Sinfield as Smith doesn't move from Half Back or Hooker.
Support Play - Well that's more of a backs role not a Hookers but look at most of the Storm tries and Cam will pretty much play a key role in setting all of them up.
Toughness - Him, Slater and Cronk get targeted more than Hot Chips at an all you can eat buffet and still manage to suck it up and play their natural games.
Ruck play - This is where he excels - no one in the game of Rugby league controls the Ruck like he does, i'd argue the Ruck is one of if not the most important part of the game
Leadership Skills - Probably even I guess, although Cameron does have better consistency in his game than Kevin, Cameron did have the pressure of taking the captaincy from Lockyer with all the media and fans pressure that come with it and still lead Australia to wins over New Zealand, wins over NSW I already mentioned how important he was in origin 1 and his team to a premiership, Kevin lead his team to 5th on the table and a cup final loss, Grand Final performance was exceptional, I did watch the game on Euro Sport and thought he played well but one game still doesn't make you the best in the world.
Size - Smith isn't the biggest of guys either, still manages 40+ tackles and still barely misses any.
Some good points though but I still think Cam does the basics better than anyone despite not being Flashy like a Tomkins, Hall and a Slater. Based on what the Chairman of the magazine said does Cameron have to get knocked out to win this award?
Im not even a QLD fan and I hate the club he plays for but I respect him as a footballer just like I respect guys like Tomkins, Hall, Charnley, S Burgess.
They are very similar in the way they play the game and in their accomplishments this last season. Cameron Smith is without doubt a world class player. It must have been a very close vote between the two for this award and I think Kevin got the 'benefit of the doubt' vote. The Australians have dominated this award and probably will continue to do so in the future and Cam Smith may win it again. Sinfield has maybe one or two seasons left at most before he's too old so I think it's a deserved honour for an exceptional season and a career body of work.
