NRL transfer market: Latest rugby league contract news
Storm star Brandon Smith has admitted he could be squeezed out of the club as he waits for Cameron Smith to make a call on his future – and there is at least one rival waiting to pounce.
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Storm star Brandon Smith admits his future at Melbourne is hinging on club legend Cameron Smith as the Gold Coast Titans prepare to pounce on the New Zealand Test hooker.
Brandon made a successful comeback from a broken jaw in Melbourne’s 50-22 thrashing of Wests Tigers at the Sunshine Coast last Saturday night.
He will take on a leading role when the Storm rest up to 10 players in Sunday’s final game of the regular season against St George Illawarra.
The Storm will then embark on a finals campaign which could be Brandon’s last in Melbourne colours.
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The 24-year-old is contracted to the Storm for next season, however has made his intentions clear that he will consider leaving Melbourne if Cameron decides to extend his career into a 20th NRL campaign.
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was adamant Brandon would remain at the club next year given he was contracted.
But the Kiwis representative said he was open to leaving the Storm and was waiting for Cameron to make a call on his future, which will also impact Harry Grant who is on loan to the Tigers this season.
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“There could be a chance (I leave) but I just want to focus on trying to win the comp this year,” he said.
“We don’t want to indulge in the decision that Cameron has to make so we will just have to wait and see.
“Obviously, with Cam, the decision will determine me and Harry’s future but there is no pressure on him.
“If Cam ends up leaving I will definitely stay at the Storm but until then we just don’t know.”
When informed the improving Titans were keeping an eye on him, Brandon said: “Are they? Big Mal (Meninga, culture chief). They are going all right.”
The Titans would be happy to secure any of Melbourne’s hookers - the Smiths or Grant - if they become available.
Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook says he is comfortable with Mitch Rein at dummy-half but there is no doubt any of Melbourne’s three No. 9s would improve the Titans, who are expected to challenge for a finals berth next year.
The Storm have long maintained Grant will definitely return to Melbourne next year, however Bellamy softened his stance recently.
“I’m not quite sure yet,” Bellamy said when asked if Grant would return to Melbourne.
“I don’t know whether you can say 100 per cent. We still don’t know what Cameron’s doing.
“I don’t really know that answer but I think it’s more likely than not that he will.”
Brandon came off the bench against the Tigers and racked up 11 runs and 23 tackles.
His jaw was given a solid test tackling the likes of Tigers prop Russell Packer and Brandon said it held up after he missed three games following surgery.
“Mentally, I was really nervous going into the warm-up, doing pummel and running into the pads,” he said.
“I was hesitant and holding my face away from contact. Then when I got there on the field, Smithy (Cameron Smith) threw me a hospital ball and Russell Packer hit me straight in the face with his shoulder. I thought that if that’s not going to break it then nothing will.
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“I got through some contact at the captain’s run and it felt good. I got a few contacts to the head and the physio advised me that if that’s not going to break it then it should be fine.
“With Christian Welch (COVID suspension) being out I thought I’d like to be in the team to help them out. Everything worked out well.”
Originally published as NRL transfer market: Latest rugby league contract news