Cameron Smith sighting at game with former Melbourne Storm teammate Matt Geyer sends rumour mill into overdrive over his future
- NRL great Cameron Smith has repeatedly refused to comment on his future
- He is off contract after guiding Melbourne to the 2020 NRL premiership
- Rumours are circulating he will sign for Gold Coast Titans or Brisbane Broncos
- On Friday, Smith was spotted at Titans trial game, sending media into a frenzy
The saga surrounding whether NRL great Cameron Smith will play on in 2021 has intensified after he was spotted at a Gold Coast Titans trial game on Friday night.
Smith, 37, who is regarded by some pundits as the greatest ever player to lace rugby league boots, has kept the media and public guessing over his future all summer.
The former Australian and Queensland Maroons hooker, who has achieved every major milestone in the sport, was tipped by many to walk away after guiding Melbourne Storm to the NRL premiership over Penrith at ANZ Stadium last October.
But after Smith was spotted in the grandstand at Pizzey Park watching on with good mate and former Storm teammate Matt Geyer, rumours are increasing over his proposed future.
Cameron Smith (pictured above in white t-shirt) was an interested spectator at the Gold Coast Titans trial on Friday night
Many felt the hooker (pictured above) would retire after the 2020 NRL season where he won the premiership with Melbourne
Speaking after his team’s 36-34 defeat at the hands of Queensland Cup side Burleigh Bears, Titans coach Justin Holbrook denied he even knew Smith was at the game.
‘Oh, was he? I’ve got no idea. It’s probably because he (Smith) lives here,’ he said to a scrum of reporters.
‘You told me you weren’t going to ask me (about him) anymore,’ Holbrook added with a laugh.
Earlier this week, Titans chief executive Steve Mitchell denied the club had made a formal approach to Smith, who moved to the Gold Coast with his family late last year.
‘Retention and recruitment is something we don’t comment on, but we haven’t had any discussions (with Smith),’ Mitchell said.
‘The start of the season’s about three weeks away … It’s never been looked at as an option.’
Queensland legend Mal Meninga, who is employed by the Titans as their head of performance, has also repeatedly denied speculation Smith will be playing on the Glitter Strip in 2021.
‘We haven’t talked to Cam Smith, that is 100 per cent fact,’ Meninga said recently.
‘It really is that simple, we haven’t spoken to him.
‘I don’t have any idea what Cam is doing. I don’t know if he’s retiring. I’m in the dark like everyone else. But I know he won’t be at the Titans.’
The Brisbane Broncos, coming off the wooden spoon after a horror 2020 campaign, are reportedly ready to lay out the red carpet for Smith should he choose to play on.
Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith (pictured above) poses with his wife Barbara Smith after his 400th career NRL game in 2019
On Saturday, new coach Kevin Walters finally confirmed the club is interested in luring Smith to Red Hill this season.
‘Cam is aware we are interested,’ Walters told the Courier Mail following months of denials.
‘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.. but we are in the hunt.’
Brisbane are yet to formally offer Smith a deal, but have around $600,000 in their 2021 salary cap to entice the 430-game legend.
The 2021 NRL season kicks-off on March 11 when premiers Melbourne host South Sydney at AAMI Park.
