Cameron Smith has given Melbourne Storm team-mate Jesse Bromwich every indication he will be back for an 18th NRL campaign in 2019.
Smith was coy on his future after the Storm's Grand Final loss to Sydney Roosters last month and remains unsigned despite the club claiming they have offered him fresh terms.
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However, New Zealand international Bromwich has spoken to Smith about his next move and he is confident that the 35-year-old will not follow another Melbourne great Billy Slater into retirement.
"I had spoken to him before I left [for England]," Bromwich told Omnisport ahead of the Kiwis' series with England.
"I thought when I was speaking to him [that] all indicators were that he was staying. I'd love for him to stay.
"He's an absolute legend of the game and a legend of the Melbourne Storm. We love playing alongside him and I'd love for him to stick on.
"He deserves everything he gets. If he decides he wants to finish up, well, then that's up to him and his family.
"I'd love for him to stay on but I totally respect anything that he has to say."
Smith's Storm career began in 2002, a year before Slater first started his own decorated spell with the club.
Slater scored 190 NRL tries, the second-most of all time, and without him as a team-mate Bromwich wants to assume more leadership responsibility having previously led his country.
"It's going to be weird, Billy Slater's been at Melbourne Storm for as long as I can remember," Bromwich added.
"He's been one of the faces of the Melbourne Storm for so long and when I think about the Melbourne Storm I'm thinking Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk. To have him and Coops gone now, it's that start of a new era, I guess.
"All the young boys coming through have got big shoes to fill. Bill's going to be around helping the club in a coaching capacity which is good to see and I'll see him when I get back.
"I've got to step up, there's probably a handful of us that need to step up and pick up the slack because Billy was a hell of a leader.
"He had a lot to say in our team. He ran a lot of the attack and the defence. It's up to about a handful of us to step up and try and help out Cameron Smith."
