What’s the Buzz: People close to Cameron Smith say he will retire

The people closest to Storm champion Cameron Smith have revealed which way they think he will go with his impending career call, as the Broncos and Titans fight for his services.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 24: Cameron Smith of the Storm passes the ball during the round 11 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium on July 24, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Melbourne Storm is turning up the heat on superstar Cameron Smith to make a decision on his future before next Sunday’s game against Manly, as those closest to him suggest he will retire.

They feel the champion hooker has now had long enough to make the call.

In mid-July Smith told your columnist he was three weeks away from making a decision.

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Cameron Smith is being tipped by many to call it quits.

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It is now five weeks since he told this newspaper: “I’m not going to string them out and leave them high and dry. Either way I’ve got to give them a bit of a heads-up.”

Storm chairman Matt Tripp will speak to Smith and his agent, Isaac Moses, this week.

Because of Smith’s standing in the game, there has been no pressure until now.

The future of Brandon Smith and Harry Grant are resting on his decision, although Storm strongly deny Brandon Smith has a get-out clause or would even want to leave.

On Friday we spoke to Moses about the situation and talk of interest from the Gold Coast.

He insists there have been no discussions with the Titans, which would be right considering their salary cap pressure from already having two million-dollar players in David Fifita and Ash Taylor.

The Storm superstar is set to make his return from injury next weekend.

Smith, 37, is expected to make a comeback from a shoulder injury next Sunday against Manly.

Those closest to the former Kangaroos and Maroons skipper are tipping he will retire.

He has been offered a job at the club and a position on the board.

He just needs to make that call to allow his club to plan for next year and beyond.

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: People close to Cameron Smith say he will retire