NRL 2020: Melbourne Storm are prepared for club legend Cameron Smith to leave at end of season
Eighteen years after making his first grade debut, Melbourne Storm are preparing for life without Cameron Smith, with speculation rife the superstar hooker is headed home to Queensland.
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The Melbourne Storm will not begrudge club legend Cameron Smith if he chooses to return to Queensland next year.
Smith is on the verge of announcing his intentions beyond this season, with speculation rife he will not play for the Storm in 2021.
If Smith doesn’t opt to retire, a move to the Brisbane Broncos or Gold Coast Titans has been mooted, with both clubs keen to sign the NRL’s most capped player as he eyes off a return to Queensland for family reasons.
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Smith, 37, has also been linked with a coaching role in the Queensland Origin team, which would allow him to work part-time.
The Storm are privately resigned to being without Smith on the field next season, but remain hopeful he will stay involved with the club in some capacity.
But if he does opt to continue his career at a Queensland franchise, Storm chairman Matt Tripp said the club would not hold it against the 423-game NRL legend.
“I don’t fear it, he has been such a great servant for our club, if he chooses to do something like that then it’s pretty hard to begrudge him. He’s got family up there,” he said.
“We couldn’t ask anymore from him as a Melbourne Storm person.
“I’d dearly love him to stay. I’ve made it pretty clear he’s got a job with us for as long as he wants to stay, whether that’s as a player, coach or board member.
“I’d love him to be part of the Storm and don’t want him to go anywhere, but ultimately that call will be down to Cameron.”
Smith is scheduled to make his return from a shoulder injury in Melbourne’s clash against Manly at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday.
The club was hoping to have an indication from him on his future before the game so they can enact plans for 2021 and beyond.
Emerging Storm hookers Harry Grant, who is on loan to the Wests Tigers, and Brandon Smith are closely monitoring Cameron Smith’s decision as it will impact heavily on their futures.
Regardless of what Smith decides to do, Tripp said the Storm would be prepared.
“I was hoping we would have a conversation this week, but I’m not pushing him,” he said.
“There’s no angst from our end. We’ve got Plan A and Plan B – life with Cameron and life without him.
“We will implement one of those plans as soon as he’s ready to make a decision.”