PREMIER Melbourne Storm capped a remarkable season yesterday when Cameron Smith was appointed captain of the Australian team to play New Zealand later this month and four of his premiership-winning teammates were named to join him.

Cooper Cronk and Ryan Hoffman will make their debuts, Greg Inglis earned a spot on the wing while the shock selection was that of fiery forward Michael Crocker, who played just 10 games this season because of a shoulder injury. That takes the Storm's involvement in the October 14 clash to seven after Jeremy Smith and Jeff Lima were selected for New Zealand.

For Smith, being handed the captaincy, in the absence of injured captain Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston, capped a memorable 24 hours.

"I was overwhelmed last night to be able to lift this trophy up and lead these boys to a grand final win, but to be the captain of your country is something special," he said. "It was only last year that I was behind Danny (Buderus for the hooker spot).

"I know I was very lucky that Danny stood down because he had a baby on the way and that gave me that opportunity.

"The only guys I can thank are the guys that I play with here and the coaches. I'm pretty certain that I wouldn't be in the position that I'm in now if I was playing somewhere else, so I'm very fortunate to be at a club like this."

Crocker said he had been stunned but honoured by his recall after several years on the representative outer.

"It got sprung on me as I was on the phone when two people came up (and told him) and I thought it was a joke and once it sunk in that I was actually in it, I could contain my emotions just enough and I'm very happy," he said.

"To have a performance like that (on Sunday night) and to be recognised for it is rewarding. I've had a rollercoaster couple of years, so to have this opportunity to be back in the Australian team is something special for me."

Storm coach Craig Bellamy yesterday said he was proud of his players' selection.

"It is (satisfying), but we had seven in origin so that was big as well. As I say individual success comes with team success and we are all about team here, so with the team successful some individuals will get those accolades or picked in teams or awards," Bellamy said.

"Not only is this a boost for those guys, it's a boost for us as a club. To have that number of guys playing rep footy is a great thing. The sides that have won premierships and done well during the year usually get the representation in these teams, so it's probably another sign of the year we've had."

The noticeable omission was Billy Slater, who tore the Sea Eagles apart in the first half on Sunday, with the Storm full-back, as well as North Queensland's Matt Bowen, overlooked for Manly's Brett Stewart.

Bellamy, an assistant Kangaroos coach, yesterday said Slater had been unlucky.

"It's out of his control. All he can control is how he plays and he played wonderfully, he's had a wonderful year and he was great again (Sunday) night, so it's up to the selectors and at the end of the day if he keeps knocking on the door they'll let him in at some stage," Bellamy said.

"I don't want to get into an argument or whatever. All I'm saying is I reckon he's played well enough to get in there. It's hard to argue against Stewart. He's had a really good year and he's played State of Origin. It's hard to argue with that. Billy's been a little unlucky, but there'd be other players in the same boat."