‘Unemployed’ Smith working on Storm deal
MELBOURNE Storm remains upbeat about Cameron Smith’s contract status despite the NRL record-breaker going into the off-season break “unemployed”.
Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy expects Smith’s contract to be resolved in coming weeks – at the latest – with the captain, his management and club “very comfortable” with the situation.
Smith (pictured) has engaged in media banter about his future in recent weeks, including the prospect of retirement had the Storm won last Sunday’s grand final.
Donaghy is bullish about getting the deal done.
“I’ve seen some of the comSmith mentary,” he said. “I think when it comes to things like this that they’re better off done behind closed doors to our timeline ... I’m really comfortable with where it’s at and I’m really confident that we’ll see Cameron run around again next year.
“Between him, myself, his management, we’re all very comfortable with where it’s at and I think everyone else should be too.”
stopped short of being coaxed into committing to next season at the club’s awards event on Wednesday night.
“At the moment I’m unemployed next year,” a jovial Smith said between the cheers of the Storm faithful.
“There’s no doubt I’m keen to play on ... (the) club and my management are working through it and everything looks really positive.
“I might just give my management the heads-up to drag it out until February so I don’t have to do pre-season,” he quipped.
Meanwhile, man mountain Nelson Asofa-Solomona has re-signed at the Storm.
The powerhouse Kiwis prop, 22, already contracted next season, finalised a four-year extension this week.