Cameron Smith’s future has sparked a heated debate over NRL360, as the Storm skipper is expected to call to see if he will continue playing in 2021.
Smith, 37, has been retired but suggestions are still being made as to whether he could stay in Melbourne or join an NRL rival.
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Both the Broncos and Titans are closely following Smith’s future.
Smith was encouraged to withdraw NRL360 Co-host Paul Kent in his Daily telegraph Pillar.
PK and Buzz CLASH via Smith
2:44
The former Australia and Queensland captain has been accused of neglecting the storm’s long-term future.
“Eight weeks ago he said he would make his decision in three weeks,” said Kent.
“In Harry Grant and Brandon Smith there are two people whose future depends on this decision.
“And the fact that Grandpa Smith is sitting there knitting and keeping everyone in check… I understand Cameron will retire at some point, and if he makes that decision, it will be his decision.
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“But in the age of the wage cap, you don’t have the luxury of making a long end-of-season decision because when Cameron waits until the end of the season and says I’m done; Melbourne has received the largest part of $ 1 million in its fixed salary cap, and when he retires that $ 1 million cannot be spent on a similar replacement.
Smith’s just brilliant assistant
0:48
“At the end of the season you couldn’t win two high profile $ 500,000 players.
“If he loves the club as much as he says he loves the club, you make the decision for the benefit of the club.”
Kent revealed that Storm Powerbrokers, led by Chairman Matt Tripp, pushed Craig Bellamy to find out what the hooker was up to.
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The club will hold a board meeting on Tuesday to highlight Smith’s future as a pressing issue on the agenda.
But Kent is Daily telegraph Colleague Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield said Kent was “disrespectful” and it had sparked a heated debate over what Smith would do.
Storm to issue Smith ultimatum
1:18
PR: Kenty I think you’re disrespectful.
PK: What a garbage buzz.
PR: The grandpa business …
PK: Oh come on, Buzz, seriously
PR: It’s disrespectful that he played 400 games.
PK: Maybe he should show some respect for the storm.
PR When Allan Border and Shane Warne retired from the Australian cricket team; Have we set a time limit?
PK: Cricket has no salary cap, Brandon Smith’s manager has already gone to Storm and when Cameron plays next year we want permission to apply for a release. Harry Grant has a clause in his contract. You have two players, one of whom is already a playtest, the other a potential playtest, both of whom sit there, and as we mentioned earlier, check out what the cowboys did. They didn’t have any money in their cap for Kalyn Ponga because they kept it there for other players such as Johnathan Thurston.
Storm shut down Sea Eagles
2:34
PR: The storm has already said that there are two scenarios for salary caps. If the decision is made, and it’s not about the Titans or Broncos trying to pinch him, then it’s about a man who really doesn’t know whether to give it away.
PK: This is also the guy who waited two weeks before the Origin camp to tell the Origin trainer that he hadn’t played.
PR: When did he make a decision for this year? When? It did not affect her in December this year.
PK: I think they expected him to come this year but they are looking for answers and tomorrow there is a board meeting and they will come out and say Cameron gives us an answer. Because they are frustrated within the club, they do not want to be on the record, because they do not want to upset him and cause a division within the club.
Storm press conference
7:24
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