Melbourne Storm chairman Matt Tripp has laughed off reports of a Cameron Smith trade to the Broncos, stating the club intends to ensure our skipper is involved with Storm in some capacity for 'years to come'.
"(The Broncos trade) is absolutely news to me and it's not fun news to wake up to," Tripp said with tongue in cheek on SEN Breakfast this week.
"Cameron is contracted until the end of the year.
"At some point in the next month or so we will renegotiate a contract for Cameron as a player, or try to arrange something whereby he will remain committed to Melbourne Storm in some capacity for many years.
He will either be playing for Melbourne Storm, working as one of our coaches, or sitting on our board.
Chairman Matt Tripp On Cameron Smith's future at the club
When asked if he'd prefer to see Smith play on in 2021, Tripp said ideally he'd prefer to see Cam lead our squad on the field next season.
"If he approached me and said he was thinking about taking up an offer at Brisbane, first and foremost I would try to convince him to stay - he's so important to our club," Tripp said.
"I'd love him to play on. If he decides against playing on we are really well positioned to fill the void. No one can ever replace Cameron Smith, but we have a couple of hookers in waiting in Brandon Smith and Harry Grant.
There's a possibility Cameron and Harry (Grant) could play in the same team. It's been mooted on occasions that Cameron could move to seven (halfback) and Harry could play at nine.
Matt Tripp
"It hinges on what Cam decides, but there's no pressure on him to make a decision. He's earned the right to make the decision in his own time.
Tripp said Smith had indicated his decision was imminent.
"We expect we will know in the next few weeks," Tripp said.
"The roadmap for us is to ensure he is involved with Melbourne Storm in some capacity for many years to come."
