Darren Lockyer surrenders his NRL games record to Cameron Smith in four days time but the Brisbane legend says he couldn't be more proud of his former Queensland and Australian teammate.
In fact, Lockyer will be at AAMI Park on Saturday, when Melbourne plays Parramatta in the NRL's qualifying final.
It's also when Smith edges past Lockyer's 355 games to sit on his own at 356.
"You break a record, you deserve the accolades that come with it," Lockyer told AAP.
"He is a true leader in the sense that people want to follow him.
"I am really pleased for him to eclipse my total games record. It's another moment where we get to reflect on his brilliant career."
Lockyer, as a Nine Network commentator, will be able to celebrate with Smith, his wife, Barbara, and their three children.
Smith paid tribute to his wife on Monday at the NRL finals launch: "She's pretty much raised three kids on her own. That's what she's done my entire career - she's a trouper," Smith said. And Lockyer agrees.
"Cameron is a great family man and his family must be extremely proud. I do think Barb deserves plenty of credit, too," said Lockyer, who broke Terry Lamb's 350-game record in August 2011 before retiring that year on 355.
Smith and Lockyer played six years together in the Kangaroos squad and eight with the Maroons in Origin.
The pair are the only two men to play 50 Tests for Australia and Lockyer still holds the record of 59 games.
Smith could get to 56 if the Kangaroos win all their games in this year's World Cup but the international schedule is not confirmed for next year.
Smith is contracted with the Storm until the end of 2018.
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