Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith says he’s still to make a decision on his playing future and it may not come until the end of the NRL season.
Social media was abuzz on Friday night before the Storm’s 22-16 win over South Sydney that Smith was going to announce his plans post-match to retire at the end of the year.
The whispers caught the Melbourne club by surprise, with a spokesman saying they had no knowledge of an imminent announcement from the 37-year-old.
And Smith himself denied that he was ready to make a call on his future.
“Every day that goes by I’m a bit closer to when that decision is going to be made,” he told Fox League.
“But from last week to today there’s still no news.
“All I’ve been concentrating on is my role with the footy side.
“I know everyone is waiting on it, and I said last week I want to make a decision as soon as I can for myself and my family and also for Melbourne but when that happens, it happens.”
Asked whether winning the 2020 premiership could affect his decision to call it quits after 19 seasons, Smith replied: “It would play a huge part.”
“But that’s not a definite for me. It’s something that every time I turn up day one of pre-season … that’s what we’re striving for, but it’s not a thing that will determine your future.
“But it will certainly feature in my decision if I haven’t made one by then.”
Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has continued to push the line that the NRL powerhouse aren’t pressuring their captain for a decision.
Bellamy says they are making two plans for the 2021 season; one with Smith and one without, and will carry on with whatever unfolds.
There is however extra heat on the club with exciting youngster Harry Grant due to return from a one-year loan deal with Wests Tigers while the management of Kiwi Test rake Brandon Smith has reportedly told Melbourne they will look elsewhere if he can’t start at No.9 next season.
Last month the champion hooker missed three games with a shoulder injury.
While it was thought his time away might bring more clarity to his playing future, a refreshed Smith said it made his decision even tougher.
