NRL 2021: Cameron Smith to return to Melbourne for bronze statue with Billy Slater

While questions still remain about his future, Cameron Smith will return to AAMI park next week, alongside a fellow Storm legend.

Cameron Smith is expected to make his long-awaited return to Melbourne next week for the unveiling of a bronze statue at AAMI Park as questions remain about his future.

Smith and Billy Slater have been immortalised with bronze statues of the Melbourne Storm legends to be unveiled on Wednesday.

The Sunday Herald Sun understands Smith, who is now based on the Gold Coast with his family, has accepted an invitation to be at the unveiling alongside Slater.

Although, the club has not confirmed his attendance.

The statues, which will be stationed on the hill at Olympic Park in between AAMI Park and Collingwood’s Holden Centre, have been designed by Australian based sculptors Gillie and Marc.

They will be unfurled the day before the NRL season opener between Storm and South Sydney at AAMI Park on Thursday night.

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Cameron Smith and Billy Slater will be honoured with bronze statues at AAMI Park in Melbourne. Picture: AAP.

It is not known whether Smith will stay on to attend the Round 1 blockbuster, in which Storm fans would desperately love to farewell their beloved former skipper in person.

Smith remains publicly undecided about his future just days out from Round 1.

He has certainly played his last game for Storm, although it is understood the future rugby league immortal is still to officially tell the club of his intentions.

He had been linked to the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans, although that talk has cooled due to Smith’s reluctance to engage in talks.

Storm hooker Brandon Smith, who is set to wear Cameron Smith’s famous No.9 jersey next Thursday night, said he would still love his former skipper to walk in the door.

“I text him the other day and he said he misses us and stuff,” Smith said.

“I’m not sure where he’s at right at the moment.

“I’m trying to buy his golf clubs off him and he hasn’t text me back, but I’d love to see him walk through the door.”

“It wasn’t really a sigh of relief that he hasn’t (come back), because I’ve got a good relationship with him and we spent the last five years training and playing with each other.

“It would be good to see him.”