Official thread and signing news
Josh Addo-Carr has signed with a new management company. Storm are now being linked with former Cowboy and Bulldog Curtis Rona. Rona is managed by the same management company. Rona has been playing rugby union the last few years with Western Force, NSW Waratahs and is now in England. Rona played three tests with the Wallabies.
An article in Herald Sun today said that Ricky Leutele has been in quarantine since Tuesday. So he will be out of quarantine on Tuesday week. Leutele said he would need two or three weeks of training to be ready for first grade.
So that will be about two or three weeks before finals.
So that will be about two or three weeks before finals.
Wasn't he going to the Broncos two weeks ago?
Seems like a midweek filler story!
Lol. It was a throwaway line by the Titans when asked in a press conference, "So what about Cam Smith?". The answer - much like the Broncos, was one of "any club would love to have Cameron Smith and they'd be kidding themselves if they said otherwise. However, I highly doubt he will leave Melbourne. If he wants to, we absolutely would want him".
It is a respect thing that the media is beating up into genuine interest IMO.
It is a respect thing that the media is beating up into genuine interest IMO.
So Brent Read says there is no chance of Cam Smith playing with storm next year.
Could all be revealed this week.
Club in such a difficult position here if he wants to play on. On just him, it would be great to play on with us, but are we looking at the now or the future.
We cant lose both or either of the other two. I'd hate to see Cam playing for another club though.
I hope cooper cronks theory is what's really happening behind the scenes.
Could all be revealed this week.
Club in such a difficult position here if he wants to play on. On just him, it would be great to play on with us, but are we looking at the now or the future.
We cant lose both or either of the other two. I'd hate to see Cam playing for another club though.
I hope cooper cronks theory is what's really happening behind the scenes.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-pr ... Mifimp847o
Cameron Smith expected to announce plan to play on in 2021
August 24, 2020 8:26am
George Clarke
Source: FOX SPORTS
The Melbourne Storm are braced for a decision on Cameron Smith’s future, with the champion hooker expected to play on with an NRL rival rather than retire.
It has been over a month since Smith said he would make a call on his plans for 2021 with the Storm still none the wiser on his intentions.
The 37-year-old is off contract this year and the Storm must consider the futures of two of the NRL’s best young hookers in Brandon Smith and Harry Grant.
Both of Craig Bellamy’s No. 9s reportedly have release clauses in their contracts meaning if Smith did stay with Melbourne they would be free to talk to rivals.
Just last week, Brandon’s management told the Storm in writing that they will seek an exit from Melbourne if Cameron plays on.
The skipper has two options. He can retire a one-club great or decide to play on, with the Broncos and Titans who both touted as potential destinations.
The Sydney Morning Herald claims that Smith, who missed the last few weeks due to a shoulder problem, will make a decision this week.
Brisbane loom as an obvious destination. They are in desperate need of leadership and have the salary cap space due to the loss of David Fifita to the Gold Coast Titans.
And depending on what happens with the sacking of Tevita Pangai Jr they could have even more cash to splash.
They are a side bereft of direction and there is understandably a lure for Smith to finish his stellar career in his home city.
Broncos premiership winner Ben Ikin said after recently applying for the soon-to-be vacated CEO’s role that Smith would be his number one target.
“(Smith’s) a franchise player and he brings a whole lot of standards and professionalism in the week leading up to games and the 80 minutes every week that you would want the rest of that squad to live every single day they walk through the door,” Ikin said.
“I’ve got to be honest with you if you’re looking for quick change it’s going to come more through good coaching and good culture than it is buying a silver bullet.
“That’s why you’d go hard for Cameron Smith because he’d solve a lot of problems in one fell swoop.”
Smith’s children are currently going to school on the Gold Coast after the Storm relocated to Queensland amid a fresh spike in coronavirus in the Victorian capital.
That has led to speculation that the former Australian and Queensland captain would examine a move to the Titans.
Just last week Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook said he’d be eager to work with Smith.
“Any side would love to have Cameron Smith,” Holbrook said.
“I might have a couple of days off training if I got him to the club because he is pretty good at organising the side. He’s a great player and it will be interesting to see what he ends up doing.”
Cameron Smith expected to announce plan to play on in 2021
August 24, 2020 8:26am
George Clarke
Source: FOX SPORTS
The Melbourne Storm are braced for a decision on Cameron Smith’s future, with the champion hooker expected to play on with an NRL rival rather than retire.
It has been over a month since Smith said he would make a call on his plans for 2021 with the Storm still none the wiser on his intentions.
The 37-year-old is off contract this year and the Storm must consider the futures of two of the NRL’s best young hookers in Brandon Smith and Harry Grant.
Both of Craig Bellamy’s No. 9s reportedly have release clauses in their contracts meaning if Smith did stay with Melbourne they would be free to talk to rivals.
Just last week, Brandon’s management told the Storm in writing that they will seek an exit from Melbourne if Cameron plays on.
The skipper has two options. He can retire a one-club great or decide to play on, with the Broncos and Titans who both touted as potential destinations.
The Sydney Morning Herald claims that Smith, who missed the last few weeks due to a shoulder problem, will make a decision this week.
Brisbane loom as an obvious destination. They are in desperate need of leadership and have the salary cap space due to the loss of David Fifita to the Gold Coast Titans.
And depending on what happens with the sacking of Tevita Pangai Jr they could have even more cash to splash.
They are a side bereft of direction and there is understandably a lure for Smith to finish his stellar career in his home city.
Broncos premiership winner Ben Ikin said after recently applying for the soon-to-be vacated CEO’s role that Smith would be his number one target.
“(Smith’s) a franchise player and he brings a whole lot of standards and professionalism in the week leading up to games and the 80 minutes every week that you would want the rest of that squad to live every single day they walk through the door,” Ikin said.
“I’ve got to be honest with you if you’re looking for quick change it’s going to come more through good coaching and good culture than it is buying a silver bullet.
“That’s why you’d go hard for Cameron Smith because he’d solve a lot of problems in one fell swoop.”
Smith’s children are currently going to school on the Gold Coast after the Storm relocated to Queensland amid a fresh spike in coronavirus in the Victorian capital.
That has led to speculation that the former Australian and Queensland captain would examine a move to the Titans.
Just last week Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook said he’d be eager to work with Smith.
“Any side would love to have Cameron Smith,” Holbrook said.
“I might have a couple of days off training if I got him to the club because he is pretty good at organising the side. He’s a great player and it will be interesting to see what he ends up doing.”
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/end-of ... 55oh5.html
End of an era: Storm ready to farewell Cameron Smith
By Adam Pengilly and Michael Chammas
SMH
August 24, 2020
The Melbourne Storm believe they will be farewelling Cameron Smith at the end of the season with the champion hooker weighing up two options - retire, or sign with a Queensland-based club.
The Herald understands the 37-year-old is highly unlikely to play another season with the Storm, who have been waiting patiently for a call from their captain on his future.
It is expected a decision could come before the end of the week, with Smith due to return from a shoulder injury in Melbourne's clash against struggling Manly next Sunday.
The news will be a tough pill to swallow for Melbourne fans, who were holding out hope the NRL's most decorated player would pull the boots on for a 20th season with the club. It would also allow him to potentially finish his career alongside master coach Craig Bellamy, whose contract runs until the end of 2021.
But while Smith is yet to officially tell the Storm of his plans, multiple sources have confirmed that if he does play on, it's unlikely to be with the club with whom he made his NRL debut in 2002.
Smith's departure will pave the way for Dally M contender Harry Grant to return to Melbourne after his successful loan spell with the Wests Tigers, setting up a duel with New Zealand international Brandon Smith for Smith's No.9 jersey.
Grant (2023) and Brandon Smith (2022) are signed to long-term contracts with the Storm. The club has no desire to let either player leave.
Cameron Smith has been well aware of Melbourne's need to plan for life after him and the Storm, while insisting they want to give him enough time to make a call, don't want his future to be a distraction during the finals series.
Smith's position in the game was the subject of much debate during the play-offs last year and a candid Bellamy said during his acceptance speech for the Dally M Coach of the Year award he feared the game's most influential player was about to walk away from the NRL.
The Storm had just been knocked out of the competition by eventual premiers the Roosters in the preliminary final. Smith decided after the grand final he would lace up the boots again.
Again, Smith has been torn over the call. His family is expected to relocate to south-east Queensland next year. Then it's just a matter of whether he signs with the Broncos or Titans - or retires.
Prospective Broncos chief executive Ben Ikin, who has applied to be Paul White's successor, has made no secret of his desire for Brisbane to aggressively pursue Smith for an on-field swansong before transitioning into an off-field role.
The Broncos are at the lowest ebb in their history, again saved from the bottom of the ladder by Warriors' win over the Bulldogs on Sunday.
It would be a massive challenge, even for Smith, and there's little certainty over who will coach the club with Anthony Seibold's future set to come to a head this week.
But they have money to spend having reserved salary cap space for boom back-rower David Fifita, who signed a mammoth three-year contract with the Titans.
Despite missing Melbourne's last three matches, Smith's body has shown little sign of slowing down and he could potentially crack the 450-game milestone if he stays injury free through the rest of this season and next.
End of an era: Storm ready to farewell Cameron Smith
By Adam Pengilly and Michael Chammas
SMH
August 24, 2020
The Melbourne Storm believe they will be farewelling Cameron Smith at the end of the season with the champion hooker weighing up two options - retire, or sign with a Queensland-based club.
The Herald understands the 37-year-old is highly unlikely to play another season with the Storm, who have been waiting patiently for a call from their captain on his future.
It is expected a decision could come before the end of the week, with Smith due to return from a shoulder injury in Melbourne's clash against struggling Manly next Sunday.
The news will be a tough pill to swallow for Melbourne fans, who were holding out hope the NRL's most decorated player would pull the boots on for a 20th season with the club. It would also allow him to potentially finish his career alongside master coach Craig Bellamy, whose contract runs until the end of 2021.
But while Smith is yet to officially tell the Storm of his plans, multiple sources have confirmed that if he does play on, it's unlikely to be with the club with whom he made his NRL debut in 2002.
Smith's departure will pave the way for Dally M contender Harry Grant to return to Melbourne after his successful loan spell with the Wests Tigers, setting up a duel with New Zealand international Brandon Smith for Smith's No.9 jersey.
Grant (2023) and Brandon Smith (2022) are signed to long-term contracts with the Storm. The club has no desire to let either player leave.
Cameron Smith has been well aware of Melbourne's need to plan for life after him and the Storm, while insisting they want to give him enough time to make a call, don't want his future to be a distraction during the finals series.
Smith's position in the game was the subject of much debate during the play-offs last year and a candid Bellamy said during his acceptance speech for the Dally M Coach of the Year award he feared the game's most influential player was about to walk away from the NRL.
The Storm had just been knocked out of the competition by eventual premiers the Roosters in the preliminary final. Smith decided after the grand final he would lace up the boots again.
Again, Smith has been torn over the call. His family is expected to relocate to south-east Queensland next year. Then it's just a matter of whether he signs with the Broncos or Titans - or retires.
Prospective Broncos chief executive Ben Ikin, who has applied to be Paul White's successor, has made no secret of his desire for Brisbane to aggressively pursue Smith for an on-field swansong before transitioning into an off-field role.
The Broncos are at the lowest ebb in their history, again saved from the bottom of the ladder by Warriors' win over the Bulldogs on Sunday.
It would be a massive challenge, even for Smith, and there's little certainty over who will coach the club with Anthony Seibold's future set to come to a head this week.
But they have money to spend having reserved salary cap space for boom back-rower David Fifita, who signed a mammoth three-year contract with the Titans.
Despite missing Melbourne's last three matches, Smith's body has shown little sign of slowing down and he could potentially crack the 450-game milestone if he stays injury free through the rest of this season and next.
Nobody should be pressuring this legend, telling him when to hang them up. Storm fans and the club keep saying that there is no pressure on him. I call bullsh*t on that. And are they actually waiting on a call from Smith as to what he wants to do??? Or are they just waiting for him to announce retirement so it's just easier for all involved?
He is still killing it and deserves to play as long as he wants. If the Storm don't want him, that's up to them and I fully support Smithy playing on elsewhere and I will continue to support him. If that is the case though, it will leave a bad taste in my mouth about the club.
He is still killing it and deserves to play as long as he wants. If the Storm don't want him, that's up to them and I fully support Smithy playing on elsewhere and I will continue to support him. If that is the case though, it will leave a bad taste in my mouth about the club.