What’s The Buzz: Melbourne Storm circling Dragons forward Tariq Sims

The Storm has a NSW Origin forward in its sights to help fill the void in its pack as the club’s injury woes hit crisis point.

ROCKHAMPTON, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 28: Tariq Sims of the Dragons is tackled by Ben Hampton and Mitch Dunn of the Cowboys during the round 24 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the North Queensland Cowboys at Browne Park, on August 28, 2021, in Rockhampton, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Melbourne Storm has made a huge play for NSW Blues State of Origin forward Tariq Sims.

The St George Illawarra edge forward was recently spotted at Storm headquarters meeting coach Craig Bellamy and football general manager Frank Ponissi.

Sims was accompanied by his wife Ashleigh, who also acts as his agent.

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Tariq Sims has attracted interest from Melbourne Storm. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Storm are desperately keen to sign the 32-year-old forward despite him being on the outer at St George Illawarra where he couldn’t make the 17-man squad for their season-opener against the New Zealand Warriors.

Bellamy has already lost Dale Finucane to the Cronulla Sharks and will lose four more experienced forwards at the end of the season — Felise Kaufusi, Jesse Bromwich and Kenny Bromwich to the Dolphins and Brandon Smith to the Sydney Roosters.

The loss of Smith for up to one month (broken hand) and Christian Welch (ruptured Achilles) in Saturday night’s bruising victory over Wests Tigers has added some immediacy to the problem.

Storm has a huge opinion of Sims, a 204-game veteran of 12 seasons.

Sims is on $800,000 at the Dragons this season but was told late last year he would not be offered a new deal. At the time, Sims said it was “devastating” not to be wanted for 2023.

He showed in Origin last year he is still one of the most damaging edge forwards in the game but his form for Saints was nowhere near that level.

News Corp understands Storm is monitoring Sims’ position at the Dragons closely.

If coach Anthony Griffin continues to leave him out of the side, there is a slight possibility Storm could make a move this year, although their salary cap space is tight.