What Wayne Bennett wants, he usually gets.
But the Brisbane master coach says he has no regrets over Cameron Smith being the one that got away ahead of the Melbourne captain's record-breaking NRL appearance.
Bennett marvelled at Smith's durability before the Test skipper eclipses good mate Darren Lockyer's mark and plays a staggering 356th NRL game, in Saturday's NRL qualifying final against Parramatta at AAMI Park.
At 34, Smith is showing no signs of slowing down and is on track to shatter the 400-games barrier after leading the Storm to the 2017 minor premiership.
Yet Bennett reckoned he did not wonder what might have been.
Smith revealed this week how close he came to signing with the Broncos on a $1 million a season deal in 2014.
"I don't regret that," Bennett said of missing out on Smith.
"He made a choice. We wanted him here but he didn't want to be here, and that's OK.
"I would regret it if we had never gone anywhere near him."
Bennett admitted he could see no end to Smith's career as the hooker powered through his 16th NRL season.
"He's been remarkable, and continues to be remarkable," Bennett said of the evergreen Australia and Queensland skipper.
"I don't know when he is going to retire, it looks like he doesn't have to retire.
"He is still doing what he has done the last 10 or so years, it's quite remarkable.
"It's a credit to him."
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