Titans and Storm locked in dispute over Brandon Smith as premiers demand Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in exchange

A major compromise is going to be needed if Brandon Smith is to end up on the Gold Coast as Melbourne Storm dig in their heels over what they receive in exchange.

2020 NRL Round QF - Melbourne Storm v Parramatta Eels, Suncorp Stadium, 2020-10-03. Digital image by Scott Davis � NRL Photos

They were premiership-winning teammates at Canberra but Mal Meninga and Craig Bellamy are locked in a standoff over Queensland State of Origin star, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

Meninga, Gold Coast’s head of performance, has lodged strong interest in Storm star Brandon Smith, who has been granted an early release from Melbourne for 2022.

The release though will be dependent on the Storm – through head coach Bellamy – securing a replacement player from the Titans equal to Smith’s ability.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Gold Coast have registered serious interest in the services of Brandon Smith.

In robust discussions between the two clubs, it is understood Melbourne would be interested in one of Gold Coast’s gun young forwards.

News Corp understands two players on top of Melbourne’s wish list are Melbourne grand final hero Fa’asuamaleaui.and Moeaki Fotuaika.

Gold Coast is understood to be frustrated at the calibre of player Melbourne is seeking although Storm officials are privately claiming they have every right to want an elite player given Smith is a grand final winner and the incumbent New Zealand Test hooker.

The Titans are believed to be favourites for Smith – who will play for Melbourne next season - while Canterbury chief executive Andrew Hill confirmed his club’s interest when contacted on Wednesday.

Wests Tigers are also showing internal interest in Smith although the club is content with existing hooker Jacob Liddle and rising dummy half Jake Simpkin.

If unable to find a replacement player of similar quality, Melbourne could reject Smith’s release request and ask that he fulfil his contract in 2022.

Can Mal hang onto his young forwards?

Bellamy is adamant what he wants.

Second-rower Fa’asuamaleaui came off the bench in Melbourne’s grand final win over Penrith this year before making his State of Origin debut for Queensland.

Gold Coast would be largely reluctant to allow Fa’asuamaleaui to return to Melbourne in 2022 given he hasn’t yet played a game for the Titans. Fotuaika is fast becoming one of rugby league’s top-level front-rowers after debuting for Gold Coast back in May, 2018.

News Corp exclusively revealed this week that Melbourne would allow Smith to explore his options for 2022 provided the club can receive a player the equal to his “contractual status, playing ability and representative status.”

Ironically, in an email to clubs offering his client, Smith’s manager, Stan Martin, omitted any Gold Coast officials.

Canterbury shouldn’t be discarded as a genuine chance of signing Smith with Hill saying: “We have spoken to Brandon Smith’s agent. We are interested in Smith, definitely. There would be a number of clubs interested in having a conversation at the appropriate time.

“Like most clubs, when quality players in key positions come on the market, clubs have to stop and consider their options. He is obviously a class player who we would be interested in talking to.”

The Storm would hope to prise Tino Fa’asuamaleaui away from the Titans in return.

There had been speculation Canterbury could swap prop Dylan Napa for Smith but this was rejected by Hill.

Napa is also off contract by 2022 – the same year Smith would leave Melbourne - and the Bulldogs claim they haven’t spoken to Melbourne about any potential player swap.

“We’ve had no conversation with Melbourne – or his agent – about any player swap,” Hill said. “That is very premature. No conversations have taken place, at all.”

Smith wants to be an exclusive hooker but realises he cannot own that role with Harry Grant having returned to Melbourne.

Fa’asuamaleaui enjoyed a stellar State of Origin debut in a series-winning Queensland side and enhanced his tough guy image during a fight with NSW’s Payne Haas in game two at Sydney.