Confusion reigns as Broncos reveal salary cap space for Cameron Smith chase

The Brisbane Broncos have officially revealed the club is chasing the signature of NRL legend Cameron Smith, and have the space to pull it off.

Cam Smith and Kevin Walters as Smith retired from State of Origin.

The Brisbane Broncos have finally revealed that they are after the signature of Cameron Smith as confusion continues around his future.

Smith has stoked rumours with just weeks to go before the start of the NRL season and no side having secured his signature and no announcement he is officially finished in the NRL.

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Smith was at the Gold Coast Titans’ pre-season trial match on Friday night as well as training on the Gold Coast, where he and his family now live.

He has also kept the decision close to his chest, telling a luncheon on the Gold Coast “I’ve got a big decision to make.”

“We will see. I can’t leave my house without someone wondering where I’m going,” he said. “I went to kick the footy down at the local club the other day and there was a front-page story the next day saying I had signed with the Titans.

“It’s a strange one. I feel physically really good. I still enjoy footy. I enjoy training and enjoy being part of a team, but I’ve got a big decision to make.”

Maybe the world mistook Cameron Smith’s farewell to Suncorp Stadium.

The plot thickened earlier in the week at the Fox League launch where Titans head of culture Mal Meninga said “It’s the $550,000 question … I’ve not talked to Cameron. Ask Kevvie.”

And Kevin Walters gave his answer on Saturday, revealing to the Courier Mail that the Broncos were interested.

“Cam is aware we are interested,” Walters said.

“A player of Cam’s quality doesn’t come around very often. We’re not really sure if we can get him. It’s a bit of a mystery for everyone.

“Obviously he is a great player and a great leader and every club in the NRL, if they had the space in their (salary) cap, would cater for him.

“Every club would love to have him on their books and for all we know he could still be running out for the Storm this season. We just don’t know what will happen … but we’ll stay in the hunt.”

The report also revealed that Smith had fielded a series of approaches since before Christmas.

But there is no official deal on the table but the club has around $600,000 in their cap if Smith wanted to play for the Broncos, which would be valued at around $580,000 for seven months based on a million dollar a year contract.

Walters also believe the Broncos have the space to bring him to the club.

Speaking before the All Stars game, Meninga said he was “going to have to make a decision soon”.

“It is obviously some time next week I would imagine if he is going to make a decision,” Meninga said.

“So we are all still in the dark. Honestly I haven’t spoken to Cameron and no one in the club has spoken to Cameron.

“He finds himself at a Titans trial match last night. What is he doing to us? What is he doing to us?”

Can he Tom Brady the Broncos? Or the Titans?

But former teammate Cooper Cronk believes the Broncos would have to send out more than just the limo to attract Smith.

“Firstly you are going to have to send more than a limo, you need a helicopter from the Gold Coast,” Cronk said.

“It is an hour and a half drive for Cameron. He will want to get there quickly, but I don’t believe it.

“I don’t think he is going to the Titans and I don’t think he is going to the Broncos.

“I think he is very happy in retirement and I think he should be very content with his career because I think he has arguably the greatest resume that the game has ever seen and he should enjoy a beer at the Gold Coast Surf Club”

And the Smith mystery is no closer to being sorted out.